Damaged & Trauma Nail Treatment
at Foot Foundation
Damaged or trauma-affected toenails can cause pain, discolouration, and long-term deformity if left untreated. Common in runners, athletes, and people with repetitive toe injuries, trauma nails may become thickened, split, detached, or permanently altered in shape.
At Foot Foundation, our podiatrists provide expert care for damaged and trauma nails—offering safe nail reduction, acute injury management, infection control, footwear guidance, and surgical options where needed. Our goal is to relieve pain, restore nail health, and prevent ongoing complications.
What are Damaged & Trauma Nails?
Damaged or trauma-affected nails occur when the toenail is injured by sudden impact, repetitive pressure, or crush injuries. Trauma may cause the nail to become bruised, thickened, split, detached, or permanently deformed.
Sports such as running, football, rugby, netball, and hiking are common causes, as repetitive pressure inside footwear can damage the nail plate. Trauma may also occur from dropping heavy objects, stubbing toes, or workplace accidents.
At Foot Foundation, we provide specialist care for both acute nail injuries and chronic trauma-related deformities, ensuring pain relief, nail management, and prevention of long-term complications.
Causes & Risk Factors
Direct trauma – stubbing or crushing the toe
Sports injuries – repetitive impact against shoes (e.g. runners, footballers, dancers)
Ill-fitting footwear – shoes too tight or too loose, causing nail pressure and friction
Occupational injuries – heavy objects dropped on toes, crush accidents
Repetitive microtrauma – long-distance running or hiking
Medical conditions – diabetes or vascular disease slowing nail healing
Previous infection – fungal nails weakened and more prone to damage
Treatment at Foot Foundation
Acute trauma care – sterile drainage of subungual haematomas, dressings, and footwear advice
Nail reduction & trimming – thinning thickened or damaged nails to relieve pressure
Protective padding or silicone devices – reduce shoe friction during healing
Custom orthotics – redistribute load to reduce toe pressure in recurrent trauma
Footwear advice – supportive, well-fitted shoes with wide toe boxes
Infection management – treatment of secondary fungal or bacterial infections
Nail surgery – for severely damaged or recurrently painful nails, partial or full removal may be performed
Symptoms
Subungual haematoma – black or purple discolouration from bleeding under the nail
Nail splitting, cracking, or partial detachment
Thickened or ridged nail growth over time
Pain and swelling immediately after injury
Nail deformity or permanent abnormal growth in chronic trauma
Secondary fungal or bacterial infection in damaged nails
Diagnosis
At Foot Foundation, diagnosis includes:
Clinical examination – assessing severity of injury, swelling, bleeding, or nail detachment
Nail history – identifying repetitive trauma or footwear contribution
Imaging referral (if needed):
X-rays – to rule out toe fracture in severe trauma
Nail culture – to exclude fungal infection in chronically damaged nails
Damaged & Trauma Nails – FAQs
They are usually caused by direct trauma, repetitive sports pressure, or poorly fitting footwear.
A black toenail is usually a subungual haematoma, caused by bleeding under the nail after trauma.
Sometimes. Mild trauma may heal fully, but severe injuries can leave nails permanently thickened, ridged, or deformed.
Treatment may include nail reduction, drainage of blood under the nail, protective padding, footwear advice, or nail surgery in severe cases.
Yes. Trauma weakens the nail and may allow fungal or bacterial infections to develop.
Yes. Podiatrists can safely drain blood under the nail (if recent) and prevent secondary infection.
No. Many damaged nails can be managed conservatively. Removal is only considered for severe pain, infection, or permanent deformity.
Toenails grow slowly — around 12–18 months for a full nail to regrow after removal or loss.
Shoes with a wide toe box, firm uppers, and correct fit reduce repetitive nail trauma in sport and daily activity.
If you have a black toenail, painful nail injury, or chronic deformity, podiatry assessment is recommended.
Why Choose Foot Foundation?
Foot Foundation provides specialist trauma nail care, including management of acute injuries, long-term deformities, and prevention strategies. We combine nail reduction, footwear modification, orthotic support, and nail surgery if needed.
With clinics in Rosedale, Takapuna, Remuera, Botany, Hamilton, and Tauranga, expert nail trauma treatment is available across New Zealand.
