In-grown Toenails – has anyone ever had one removed?

Question

My podiatrist says it would be advisable to have the side bits of my left big toe nail removed and leave the top part of the nail to 'protect' the top my toe. (I can see the logic in that)
I'm a chicken - I hate pain.
Has anyone had this 'operation' done?
How long till I can wear shoes?
How long till I can walk without a limp?

Answer 1

HI,
I am a chicken too, so i know what you are going through. The worst part is when the doctor numbs the toe and after that you do not feel a thing. I had the sides of my big toes removed because they work going under neath my skin. WHat i do suggest is to have the doctor put a solution so that it does not grow back. I just has small pieces off the side of the big toe and this solution prevented it from growing back and causing the same problem. Nobody even notices that its different. The nail is just a bit smaller.
As for shoes, In a couple of days you should be fine. I wore sneakers for about 2-3 weeks. NO problem. Good luck.

Answer 2

It's not that bad. I have had 3 removed, but had the procedure 4-5 times. First, they will numb it with 3-4 numbing shots in your toe, which is the worst part, but ask for a cold spray to help ease the pain of the injection. After that, it's a breeze. They'll remove it, and most likely take a chemical to kill the nail cells so that it won't grow back, this doesn't hurt, you don't feel it, just some him touching your toe, just grab a magazine to read. Then they will wrap it up in bandage. I never heard of keeping the top part of the nail, I don't see logic in that at all, not sure. It will be sore after the numbing wear off, just be sure not to bump it, it will hurt worse after the numbing is gone. You can typically wear shoes right away, just not super tight, but I found after the numbing wears off, it hurts to wear shoes, so maybe about a day or two. For me personally, I walk with a limp for about 4-7 days. It's not that bad of a procedure and is done usually in 30 minutes maximum.

Answer 3

Well, the first answerer had a lot better experience than I have had. First of all I had BOTH big toenails removed because they hurt all the time. It was after the excruciating pain of them growing back that a foot specialist x-rayed them and found I had bone spurs under them. He wanted to surgically remove them, but I decided I could stand the pain. Later, my grandson stepped on one of my big toes and a month later it came off, in the doctor's office. I didn't have any pain and I believe the reason was that air had been able to get under my nail and probably partially healed it before it was stepped on. It grew back and I don't let anyone except a professional pedicurist touch my toes. By the way it was well over 6 weeks before I could wear a shoe and I have had to wear 1/2 size bigger shoe ever since. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I haven't experienced the removal of an ingrown toenail, but I have a sister who did. She had to have the nail on both "big" toes removed. Yes, it is painful; but, the pain from the ingrown nail is bad, too, and will persist until the nail is removed.

My sister could not wear a "regular" shoe for six months, and was not comfortable in "regular" shoes for over a year.

Answer 5

If the nail can also be effectively eliminated with out unsafe the nail mattress then sure it's going to develop again. It will take decades, however ultimately it's going to develop again. If it bothers you ,you'll have an extension carried out (as soon as one of the crucial nail is available in) at a nail salon till the brand new one grows in. Future reference continuously dossier toenails instantly throughout leaving a small loose part. Curving the perimeters on toenails encourages ingrown toenails.

Answer 6

You are in luck because there isn't a lot of pain! It's not too long before you'll be able to wear shoes, as I recall. You shouldn't have any limp, either. Just don't watch while he works, if you are nervous.