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Original poster

inward growing nail removal

23 replies

getoffme · 03/03/2011 11:49

hi
i had an inward growing nail that has to be partially removed on both sides, has anyone had some of this done before? tell me more.. i am interested in pain levels, time off work, what you could do afters, etc... nurses are telling me that i should be uncomfortable for an afternoon, and then able to work the next day, but with a huge bandage on my feet, i think they playing it down...

thanks for all your help...

OP posts:

kreecherlivesupstairs · 03/03/2011 13:10

I had this done about nine years ago. Being a complete wuss I had a general anaesthetic.
I was able to drive myself home in the afternoon.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 03/03/2011 13:14

From my experience what the nurse told you was correct. I found the pain from the ingrowing toenail worse than the after affects of having it taken out. I remember it throbbing a bit that night, but it wasn't painful as such.

Grumpystiltskin · 03/03/2011 13:25

Just a note to add that if you drive after a GA or sedation your insurance is invalidated. I have seen thenail removal done but never experienced it, ingrowing toenails are painful though so hope you get it sorted!

Original poster

getoffme · 03/03/2011 13:28

yeah, you are right, it has been really painful for the last 8 months, so i am looking forward for this to be sorted, just a bit nervous, and the nurses say is such a small deal, that it seems hard to believe.... just wanted to hear some real people saying it didn't hurt me that much, ... and what are the practicalities of the few days after

OP posts:

kreecherlivesupstairs · 04/03/2011 08:18

Grumpy, just to clarify, we were in Oman. I drove us all home after my casarian because DH was enthralled by DD

Grumpystiltskin · 04/03/2011 08:25

Men!! I just wanted to make sure op didn't get into trouble

pippop1 · 04/03/2011 14:55

My son had this done twice, once on each big toe. The first time he had a local anesthetic and had a week of secondary school. Was told to keep foot raised for 48 hours and not to knock it. Operation site was v painful and he was scared that someone would tread on it in the corridor at school.

The second time he had a general but after 48 hours had no pain and went back to school. It was the same surgeon and son was two years older.

Go figure.

pippop1 · 04/03/2011 14:56

"off" secondary school.

Original poster

getoffme · 04/03/2011 19:34

hi all, i won't be driving, but thanks for the info...
it is going to be done under local anaesthetic, but they did not say anything about having it raised for 48 hours, could it be depending on how it goes?, so it will be still very painful with the anaesthetic and everything?

OP posts:

pippop1 · 05/03/2011 19:52

I think it throbs less if you raise it. I don't think it means you can't walk around your house a little bit.

FudgeGirl · 05/03/2011 20:08

My DB had both of his big toe nails removed at the same time, I think under GA.r

He was fine, had it done the Friday before a bank holiday, was back at work on Tuesday with his toes bandaged and wearing a pair of shoes a size bigger than usual, no real pain at all.

He said the pain for the previous years with the nails there was so bad that after the operation any discomfort didn't even compare.

He does have hard skin form on the one toe now but just cuts it off with a corn scalpel I think.

Original poster

getoffme · 05/03/2011 21:16

thanks fudge, that it is really helpful, my removal is just partial both sides, so i will have a very thin nail, but i suppose the rest of the nail will look like your db.... i already have to wear shoes chosen carefully, ie trainers with a hard front cos i cannot bear the pain of wearing normal shoes.

OP posts:

Sidge · 05/03/2011 21:22

You'll be back on your feet straight away. It will throb a bit as the local anaesthetic wears off but regular paracetamol should be all you need.

You will only have a bulky dressing on it for 24 hours, then you will have the dressing changed by the practice nurse and it should be very much smaller - literally just a non-adherent patch with a plaster on top. You will probably self-care for it at home each day and see the nurse once a week or so to keep an eye on it.

The pain post-op will probably be better than the pain of the ingrowing nail. They hurt like hell!

fusspot66 · 05/03/2011 21:32

I'm a Podiatrist and I've spent 23 years reassuring patients that it's about as unpleasant as the feeling you have when a local anaesthetic wears off after a filling, but about as scary as having a tooth out 'cos you don't know what to expect. I finally got to experience partial nail removal for myself in October after a month of hobbling up to school in my hiking boots. It was such an instant relief to have it done. Try not to worry about it, don't wear tight or closed in shoes as much as possible afterwards, put your foot up when you get home, have a cup of tea and a paracetamol, don't go charging about that day, don't be too physical that week. You'll be fine. Mine healed in under 2 weeks though 6 is more usual. I tried my hardest to do without a daily shower to avoid wetting it and to make a change of dressing unnecessary. Keeping my foot right out of the bath was more successful than the shower for staying dry. All that encouraged the healing process. Take a rubbishy magazine to distract you and a soft drink to refresh you on the day. You'll be fine!

Original poster

getoffme · 18/03/2011 09:43

everything set up for op in april, i can't believe i am looking forward to this!
nurse has put my mind to rest that it isn't so terrible, and i will feel so much better after...

OP posts:

Original poster

getoffme · 08/04/2011 21:52

hi all
don't know if any body still reading, might be writing to myself...
i had the op on tuesday, i didn't feel a thing, thank god for the anesthesia, a bit of proper pain the same day and just a bother after, today i had my first check up, and all looks so good already! and feels better!

OP posts:

Leverkusen · 09/04/2011 16:19

Just read this, glad you had it. I had both my big toes done 6 years ago, after ten years of PAIN. People don't realise quite how much ingrowing toenails hurt.
I have never had problems with them since

Original poster

getoffme · 11/04/2011 11:18

looking forward to a pain free life, lever, and some new shoes i think i deserve....
gosh, 10 years is such a long time, i only had it for about 8 months, got other health problems, and a wonderful nurse that likes to keep a very close eye on things.

OP posts:

bacon · 11/04/2011 14:52

I had mine done 20 years ago now. I remember the injections in the feet. I also remember the pain for the 1st day but after that it was fine.

I would make sure you have both sides done too, wish I had asked as the other sides flare up occassionally.

I did see on the One SHow on Friday there is a chemical procedure now that kills off the root.

Terrible condition, I also suffer with all my toe nails, I have been told to trim the sides.

Original poster

getoffme · 11/04/2011 16:33

i had both sides done, and they used a chemical so hopefully will not regrow again, if it does, they'll do it again, and that should be it, but soon to tell yet, have another review on friday

OP posts:

weareallchangingnamesforthis · 23/05/2011 09:42

in case anyone is reading... my toe is finally cured, no bandages or anything, i can even get back swimming!!!!

Leverkusen · 23/05/2011 20:26

Hooray! I have never had problems with mine since. Enjoy wearing flip flops this summer

weareallchangingnamesforthis · 06/06/2011 15:59

yeahhhhhhhhhh! to the flipflops, but i dopn't think i will be painting my toenails this year, oh well.... no more pain, and it looks so much better already, top of the finger is completely normal, bottom of the usedtobe nail, looks a bit funny still, but no pain...

Flip