Relief for painful, ingrown or recurring toenail problems.
Nail surgery is a minor in-clinic procedure used to treat painful ingrown toenails, recurrent nail problems, thickened nails and nail deformities. At The Podiatry Clinic in Harborne, we assess the nail, explain your options and guide you through treatment and aftercare clearly.
What is it?
A minor podiatry procedure to remove the painful or problematic part of the toenail.
Who is it for?
People with painful, infected, recurring, curved, wide, thickened or ingrowing toenails.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Book an assessment and your podiatrist will explain whether nail surgery is suitable.
When nail surgery may be recommended.
Your podiatrist may recommend nail surgery when a toenail abnormality is causing pain, pressure, infection or repeated flare-ups that are not settling with simple care.
The nail edge presses into the skin, causing pain, swelling or infection.
Excessively curved or involuted nails can pinch the skin and become painful.
Wider nail plates can repeatedly irritate the skin at the side of the toe.
Thick nails from fungal infection or trauma can cause pressure and discomfort.
Poor nail cutting can leave spikes or edges that dig into the skin.
Antibiotics may settle infection temporarily, but the nail edge may still need treatment.
Removing the cause, not just calming the flare-up.
Ingrown toenails and painful nail deformities often come back because the nail edge or nail shape continues to press into the skin. Conservative care can help in mild cases, but recurrent or severe problems may need a more definitive treatment plan.
Curved, wide or thickened nails can keep pressing into the surrounding skin.
Footwear pressure, sport, injury or repeated impact can aggravate the nail.
Infection can occur when the nail irritates or breaks the surrounding skin.
When the same nail keeps flaring up, surgery may be recommended to reduce recurrence.
What happens during nail surgery?
The procedure is usually carried out in clinic under local anaesthetic. Your podiatrist will explain the plan, numb the toe, remove the problematic nail section and dress the toe afterwards.
Assessment and consent
The nail is assessed and the procedure, risks, benefits and aftercare are explained.
Toe is numbed
Local anaesthetic is injected into the toe so the area is numb before treatment starts.
Nail section removed
The painful nail edge or affected section is gently lifted and removed without stitches in most cases.
Dressing and aftercare
A sterile dressing is applied and you are given clear guidance on dressing care and follow-up.
Book a nail surgery assessment in Harborne.
Get your nail assessed, understand whether surgery is needed and leave with a clear treatment plan.
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Clear follow-up and healing guidance.
After the procedure, the toe is dressed and you will be given advice on keeping the dressing dry, changing dressings and attending follow-up appointments. Review appointments help monitor healing and allow the team to answer any concerns.
- Next-day check where appropriate
- Dressing advice and wound care guidance
- Follow-up reviews to monitor healing
- Support if you have concerns during recovery
Specialist nail surgery with calm, clear care.
Podiatry-led assessment
Your nail is assessed by clinicians experienced in painful and recurrent toenail problems.
Clear treatment options
We explain whether conservative care or nail surgery is the most suitable route.
In-clinic procedure
Nail surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic in a clinical setting.
Aftercare included
You receive clear dressing advice, follow-up guidance and support through healing.
Nail surgery questions, answered.
Straight answers to the questions patients often ask before booking a nail surgery or ingrown toenail appointment.
Book an assessment and your podiatrist will explain what is causing the pain and which treatment option suits your nail.
Book nowNail surgery is a minor podiatry procedure used to treat painful, recurrent or severe toenail problems. It usually involves removing the problematic section of nail under local anaesthetic.
Nail surgery may be recommended when an ingrown toenail is severe, infected, keeps returning or has not settled with conservative care.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the toe is numbed before treatment begins. You may feel pressure or movement, but the procedure itself should not be painful.
Once the toe is numb, the problematic section of nail is gently lifted and removed. A chemical may be applied to help prevent that section of nail from growing back, then a sterile dressing is applied.
Most patients can walk immediately afterwards, although it is sensible to arrange help getting home and to avoid unnecessary pressure on the toe.
Healing time varies depending on the toe, the extent of treatment and how well the aftercare instructions are followed. Review appointments help monitor healing and dressing care.
Nail surgery is designed to reduce recurrence, especially when a chemical is used to help stop the problematic section regrowing. There is still a small chance of recurrence with any nail procedure.
You will be given dressing advice and usually reviewed after the procedure. Dressings need to be kept dry and changed as advised while the toe heals.
High-risk patients, including people with diabetes, should have painful, infected or ingrowing nails assessed promptly. Suitability for nail surgery depends on the assessment and your individual risk factors.
Book your nail surgery assessment today.
Visit The Podiatry Clinic in Harborne for clear diagnosis, treatment options and practical aftercare advice.