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Do I need an initial consultation?

All surgical procedures require careful assessment before we can advise if this is the right option for your problem. Our podiatrists need to review your overall health, medications, circulation and the nature and extent of your problem before we can give you the correct advice about treatment.

Sometimes surgery is not necessary, and simple conservative care may address your problem. If there has been long standing infection, we may need to organise an x-ray of your toe to ensure there is no bone infection present. If you have diabetes or other significant health issues, we may need to liaise with your regular GP to ensure you are cared for properly. We also recommend you seek a second opinion before making any decision about having surgery.

I'm needle phobic, or have a lot of procedural anxiety - can you assist?

Our practice has the ability to provide light sedation to assist with needle phobia or anxiety. Most commonly, we use an inhaled medication called methoxyflurane (better known as "the green whistle"), which is administered for about 5-10 minutes to reduce pain and anxiety.

This medication wears off quickly, however you are unable to drive a car or operate machinery for 24hrs afterwards.

Is there much pain afterwards?

Because there is no cutting through the skin, or stiches, the procedure preferred at the Ingrown Toenail Centre rarely causes a lot of post operative pain. It is almost like a form of ‘keyhole’ surgery.

Most patients will manage their discomfort with simple over the counter pain medication, and elevation and rest. This usually lasts for the first 24 -48 hours at the most, and in our experience it is rare for patients to complain of any significant pain unless the area is accidentally knocked or bumped.

When can I wear shoes again?

For the first couple of days, you will usually need to have a quite bulky bandage around your toe, and it is usually not possible to wear an enclosed shoe. After your first review to change the dressings, a much lighter and thin dressing can then be used, which can usually be easily accommodated within roomy enclosed flat footwear.

Is it suitable for people with diabetes?

In many situations this will not be a problem, providing you have adequate blood supply into your foot. If you have diabetes, your podiatrist will carefully assess your circulation with a Doppler ultrasound and other techniques to ensure it is adequate to heal your toe.

If the blood supply to your foot is not satisfactory, then it may not be possible to offer a surgical solution to your problem. In this situation we may suggest periodic podiatry treatment to reduce the symptoms associated with the ingrown toenail. This is similarly the case for other chronic health problems that can also affect your healing and circulation. If you smoke, it is advisable to try and cut down or quit to improve your healing. There is a slightly increased risk of post operative infection in diabetes, particularly if your blood glucose control is not optimal.

When can I walk?

You can walk around immediately after the procedure, but we request you keep the elevated as much as possible for the first day or two. Your toe will be numb for up to a couple of hours after you have the procedure. Please bring along a thong or open-toed sandal to wear home. We recommend you get a responsible adult to drive you home, and then try and elevate you foot as much as possible for next 24 to 48 hours. You can get up and move around for short periods.

Is the procedure safe for children?

Yes, if absolutely necessary.

It is uncommon for younger children to require ingrown toenail surgery, unless they have a congenital problem with their nails and frequent infections.

It is far more common in active teenagers and adults.

Healing time?

If you are otherwise fit and healthy, the small wound will usually heal up over 2-3 weeks, and require a simple light dressing and antiseptic daily to keep it clean.

There are no stitches that require removal, as the procedure involves an intentional chemical 'burn' to the area that grows the nail. Therefore it needs to drain/weep for a week or two as part of this process.

We will usually review your progress several times after the procedure to ensure there are no problems. If you are a smoker, or have diabetes,  or other medical problems, this may slow down and delay the rate of healing.

How will my toenail look?

For most people, the cosmetic appearance of the nail is extremely important. The vast majority of the time we will endeavour to remove only a small portion of the outside edge/s of the nail, so that it still looks cosmetically acceptable.

Generally, once healed, the nail simply looks slightly narrower - and is often impossible to tell that something had been done to the nail after 6-12 months.

In particularly severe cases, for very thickened toenails, or where previous surgery has failed, you may be advised that removal of the entire nail plate is the best option. However, our podiatrists will try to avoid doing this if it is at all possible.

Costs and Health insurance cover?

At this time, Medicare does not cover ingrown toenail procedures undertaken by podiatrists.

If you have private health insurance ‘Extra’s’ cover, there will commonly be a rebate for the surgical fee. This can be variable, and it is recommended you check with your individual health fund on what rebates are applicable to you.

Your podiatrist will provide you with a written estimate of the surgical fee after your initial consultation, which has the relevant item numbers that can be used when contacting your private health insurer.