An ingrown toenail is when part of the toenail grows into the sides of the skin of the toe. This causes swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection on the toe. For a minor case of ingrown toenail, people usually go to salons to have it simply cut away. Some people cut and remove the ingrown nail on their own. But for more serious cases, like when it is infected, or for people who get it repeatedly, the best solution is to visit a podiatrist. There are a few surgical procedures that can treat or remove an ingrown toenail. The right one depends on the location and the severity of the ingrown nail.

Here are the most common types of surgical removal of an ingrown toenail:

  1. Wedge Resection – Partial nail fold and nail matrix removal. This is the most common and simplest type of ingrown nail removal. For this procedure, the doctor will remove the part of the toenail that is digging into the skin. The part of the nail matrix, where the ingrown nail is from, will also be removed. This will prevent the growth of the part of the nail that is causing the problem. 
  2. Toenail Removal – This involves the complete removal of the nail plate. This is not the best procedure to remove the remove the ingrown toenail because the recurrence rate is high. This procedure is usually done when there is abscess on both sides of the nail that cannot be solved by wedge resection. 
  3. Nail Fold Reduction – If other surgeries would not work, the doctor may operate on the soft tissue around the toenail. This may also be done for patients who are concerned about how their nails would look after the surgery. A wedge of soft tissue on the side of the toe will be removed. When the wedge is stitched closed, the skin is pulled away from the ingrown nail.
  4. Matrixectomy – This is usually the last resort for recurring and severe cases. It involves removing the nail and the nail bed, called the matrix. The complete removal of the nail plate and matrix will prevent the nail from growing ever again. 

If you have an ingrown toenail, contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our podiatrists. We have same day appointments available at over 80 clinics nationwide, including Scottsdale, AZ.