Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Ingrown toenail surgery offers permanent relief from painful and infected ingrown toenails. This quick, effective, and minimally invasive procedure is performed in our clinic using local anaesthetic, ensuring a pain-free experience.
What is Toenail Surgery
Toenail surgery might seem daunting, but at Foot Foundation, we utilise minimally invasive techniques to deliver permanent solutions for ingrown toenails. We recommend surgery when conservative treatments fail to relieve severe pain or infection.
Our podiatrists typically perform a partial nail avulsion (PNA), removing only the ingrown section of the nail under local anaesthetic.
What Does Ingrown Toenail Surgery Involve?
Ingrown toenail surgery is a pain-free procedure performed under local anaesthetic. It usually takes 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity.
Procedure Steps:
Removal of Ingrown Nail: A small sliver of the toenail causing pain is removed. You may only feel some pressure during this step.
Chemical Application: A chemical is applied to destroy the nail matrix (nail-growing cells), preventing regrowth and future pain. Rarely, cells may regenerate.
Antiseptic and Dressing: An antiseptic is applied, and the toe is dressed with medical-grade materials. You will receive a dressing kit with re-dressing instructions.
You can go home immediately after the procedure without needing time off work or school. Moonboots or wound care shoes are not required.
Post-Surgery Follow-Up:
A follow-up appointment is scheduled within 7 days to ensure proper healing. Regular check-ups will monitor progress and address any complications.
Recovery Time:
Recovery from toenail surgery can take between two weeks to two months, influenced by:
Severity of the ingrown toenail
Quality of blood flow to the toes
Post-operative care
Presence of infection
Toenail Surgery – FAQs
Ingrown toenail surgery is a minor podiatric procedure performed under local anaesthetic to remove the section of nail that is growing into the skin. It is designed to relieve pain, reduce infection risk, and prevent the problem from recurring.
Surgery is recommended when:
- The ingrown toenail is recurrent or severe
- Conservative treatments (e.g., nail bracing, trimming, padding) have not worked
- There is infection or repeated inflammation
- Pain is interfering with walking or daily activities
After applying a local anaesthetic to numb the toe, the podiatrist carefully removes the ingrown portion of the nail. At Foot Foundation, we use 10% sodium hydroxide to treat the nail root. This prevents regrowth of the removed nail section, making the procedure a long-term solution.
No. The toe is fully numbed with a local anaesthetic before the procedure. Most patients only feel pressure during the surgery and mild discomfort afterwards, which can be managed with simple pain relief.
The surgery usually takes 30–45 minutes per toe. You will be able to walk out of the clinic the same day in open-toed or loose footwear.
Most patients can resume normal activities within a couple of days. The toe will need to be dressed and kept clean while healing, and full recovery generally takes 2–4 weeks. Your podiatrist will provide aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments.
Yes. The use of sodium hydroxide on the nail root prevents the treated section of nail from regrowing. This provides a permanent solution for most patients.
Yes. Ingrown toenail surgery is safe for most people, including those with diabetes, as long as circulation and healing capacity are sufficient. Our podiatrists will carry out a full assessment before recommending the procedure.
The cost varies depending on whether one or both sides of the nail are treated and whether multiple toes are involved. At Foot Foundation, we provide transparent pricing before treatment. Please contact our reception team or check our Price List for details.
Ingrown toenail surgery is available at all Foot Foundation clinics, including:
- Rosedale, Auckland
- Takapuna, Auckland
- Remuera, Auckland
- Botany, Auckland
- Hamilton, Waikato
- Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Book Your Ingrown Toenail Surgery Appointment Today
Foot Foundation provides specialist ingrown toenail surgery — a minor procedure under local anaesthetic that removes the ingrown nail edge and treats the nail root with 10% sodium hydroxide to prevent regrowth. It’s designed to relieve pain, reduce infection risk, and offer a long-term solution.
The procedure typically takes 30–45 minutes, you can walk out the same day, and recovery is usually 2–4 weeks with simple dressing and aftercare. Suitable for most people, including many with diabetes (following assessment), with transparent pricing and clear follow-up.
Available at Rosedale, Takapuna, Remuera, Botany, Hamilton, and Tauranga.
