We’ve provided a number of helpful tips on our blog in the past for overcoming ingrown toenails without the need for surgery, but sometimes these conservative treatments just can’t get the job done. When conservative treatment fails, or if ingrown toenails repeatedly return despite your best efforts, it may be time to consult with an orthopaedic surgeon like Dr. Silverman to address the issue. In these cases, Dr. Silverman may recommended a matrixectomy. We take a closer look at the matrixectomy for toenail issues in today’s blog.
What Is A Matrixectomy?
A matrixectomy is a procedure that addresses a portion of the toenail matrix. It’s oftentimes used to correct moderate to severe ingrown toenails, but it may also be performed as a way to manage certain toenail infections. The goal of a matrixectomy is to remove the offending portion of the nail to alleviate symptoms, and to address the nail’s growth plate to prevent the issue form returning.
During the procedure, anesthetic is applied to the big toe to numb the area. The surgeon will wait a couple minutes before touching the area and talking with the patient to ensure the anesthetic has completely numbed the area. Once both patient and provider are satisfied, special tools are used to remove part of the visible portion of the nail. Once removed and access to the growth plate of the nail is available, a specialized chemical solution will be applied to destroy growth tissues, ensuring the nail doesn’t grow back. This ensures the procedure is a permanent solution to your ingrown toenail issues.
Your toenail will be slightly smaller as a result of the removal and treatment to the growth area, but you’ll still have a large portion of your nail, so it will hardly be noticeable once the area has healed from the initial trauma. The whole procedure can be completed in as little as 10-15 minutes, and patients can walk right after surgery. You’ll want to keep tabs on the area and regularly clean it as recommended by your doctor. They will also likely recommend the following for 1-2 weeks post op:
- Soaking your toe in a salt water solution for 10 minutes a couple of times a day.
- Taking antibiotics to prevent an infection from developing.
- Wearing open-toed shoes.
- Avoiding running or other strenuous activities.
A complete recovery can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks, but many people can resume normal daily activities weeks sooner. Even when recovery is complete, you’ll want to be mindful of your footwear choices so as not to wear shoes that constantly put excessive pressure on your toe box.
A matrixectomy can be a wonderful solution for patients who have struggled to completely overcome problematic ingrown toenails. We can help you address toenail issues with conservative techniques, but if a problem continues, we can jump in and provide a more permanent and effective solution.
For more information about ingrown toenail treatment, or for help with a different foot or ankle issue, reach out to the team at Resurgeons Orthopaedics today at (770) 475-2710.