Permanent solution for painful ingrown toenails. Minor surgery performed under local anaesthetic with minimal downtime.
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection. While mild cases can often be managed conservatively, recurring or severe ingrown nails may require a minor surgical procedure for permanent resolution.
At Lower Limb Clinic, we perform partial nail avulsion (PNA) under local anaesthetic—a straightforward procedure that removes the problematic section of nail and prevents it from growing back. With a 98% success rate, this is the gold-standard treatment for persistent ingrown toenails.
Nail surgery is a minor procedure performed in our clinic under local anaesthetic. The toe is completely numbed so you won't feel any pain during the procedure, which typically takes 30-45 minutes.
Partial Nail Avulsion: We remove only the problematic section of nail (usually 2-3mm from the edge) and apply phenol to the nail matrix to prevent regrowth. This preserves the natural appearance of your nail while permanently solving the ingrown nail problem.
Total Nail Avulsion: In rare cases where the entire nail is problematic, we may recommend removing the whole nail. This is only suggested when absolutely necessary.
We'll examine your nail, discuss your medical history, and explain the procedure in detail. This may be done at a separate appointment or on the day.
The toe is numbed using local anaesthetic injections. You may feel a brief sting, but the toe will be completely numb within minutes.
The ingrown section is carefully removed and phenol is applied to prevent regrowth. The procedure takes about 15-20 minutes once the area is numb.
A sterile dressing is applied. We'll provide detailed aftercare instructions and all the dressings you need for the healing period.
We'll see you at 2-3 days, then again at 1-2 weeks to monitor healing and change dressings if needed. Full healing typically takes 4-6 weeks.
"I suffered with ingrown toenails for years, having them cut back repeatedly. The nail surgery was quick and painless, and I've had no problems since. Should have done it years ago!"
David T.
Treated for: Recurring Ingrown Toenails
Common questions about Nail Surgery at Lower Limb Clinic.
Get Nail Surgery at our clinic, conveniently located in East Belfast
385 Lisburn Road, BT9 7EP
373 Ormeau Road, BT7 3GP
1 Shimna Road, BT33 0AS
We serve patients from across Belfast and Northern Ireland including East Belfast, South Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards, Dundonald, Carryduff, Hillsborough, and Comber.
Get Nail Surgery at our clinic, conveniently located in East Belfast
385 Lisburn Road, BT9 7EP
373 Ormeau Road, BT7 3GP
1 Shimna Road, BT33 0AS
We serve patients from across Belfast and Northern Ireland including East Belfast, South Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards, Dundonald, Carryduff, Hillsborough, and Comber.