An ingrown toenail, a common and often painful condition, may require surgical intervention when conservative treatments fail to provide relief. The surgical procedure, known as partial nail avulsion, involves numbing the toe with a local anesthetic. Once numb, the podiatrist carefully removes the portion of the toenail that is ingrown, ensuring to leave the healthy nail intact. In some cases, the nail bed may also be treated to prevent future ingrowth. The procedure is typically quick, taking only a few minutes, and patients can often return home the same day. After surgery, it is essential to keep the toe clean and dry, following any post-operative care instructions provided by the podiatrist. If you have an ingrown toenail that is causing you chronic pain and discomfort, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine if this type of surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of North Bay Ankle & Foot Center. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Petaluma and Sonoma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.