How Effective Is Ingrown Toenail Surgery?

How Effective Is Ingrown Toenail Surgery?

Besides poorly fitting shoes and crowding feet into socks, some people inherit the tendency to get ingrown toenails. In such cases, if one parent is prone to ingrown toenails, their offspring are at risk of developing it too.

A painful ingrown toenail can affect work and social life, but luckily, there are multiple ways to remedy the condition, one of which is ingrown toenail surgery.

When people look for information on ingrown toenail surgery, one of the most common issues searched is, 'how effective is it?'

The Success Rate of Ingrown Toenail Surgery

Multiple studies have shown that ingrown toenail surgery has a very high success rate. Most patients who undergo this surgery successfully get rid of their ingrown toenails, with few complications during recovery.

The success and recovery speed of an ingrown toenail surgery is often dependent on a few factors, including:

The Podiatrist’s Skill and Experience

Picking a qualified podiatrist will help ensure the surgery is successful. Although there is a lot of online information about ingrown toenail removal DIY procedures, it is best to have a professional do it to avoid complications. In addition, underlying medical conditions such as diabetes can place you at higher risk.

General Health

The body needs to be healthy to heal. A weakened immune system makes the body more prone to infections, especially after surgery, so it is vital to maintain optimum health to improve the chances of a faster recovery.

Surgical Procedure Specifics

During ingrown toenail surgery, podiatrist may use various chemical agents such as carbolic acid, sodium hydroxide, or trichloroacetic acid. Studies have shown varying recovery rates for different patients.

Aftercare Routine

The aftercare routine can affect the success of the surgery, so following the foot surgeon's instructions after surgery is critical to achieving full recovery.

Do Ingrown Toenails Return After Surgery?

Studies show a slim chance that an ingrown toenail will return after ingrown toenail surgery. One such study of thirty-nine individuals with fifty-six ingrown toenails showed that only one had a recurrence while the rest didn't. The subject with a recurrence noted it in a single nail edge at twelve months follow-up. In this context, the recurrence rate is less than one percent.

However, professional ingrown toenail surgery is critical to minimizing the chances of a recurrence.

Tips To Maximize Recovery Results

Several steps can maximize ingrown toenail surgery results and prevent complications, including:

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal) to control swelling and pain. Be sure to consult a podiatrist about this, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or are on other medications.

Keeping the wound bandaged until it heals to decrease the chance of infection. In case an infection develops, a podiatrist can prescribe appropriate medications.

Keeping the wound clean. A clean, wound is less prone to infection, so wrap it up when showering and only clean it per your podiatrist's instructions.