Treatment options
Brace instead of surgery
Treatment possibilities for ingrown and involuted nails
Podiatrists or doctors are the first point of call for patients with ingrown nails. Usually the treatments of choice for “Onychocryptosis” is a Partial Nail Avulsion. But now, thanks to Best Feet First Pty Ltd, practitioners will be able to offer their patients the successful, painless treatment of Nail Bracing.
Pros and Cons of Nail Surgery
Nail Surgery, (Emmert-plastic, Partial Nail Avulsion or nail wedge resection) is an effective treatment of ingrown toenails in that it is a fast and efficient way to remove the offending edge of the nail, causing the irritation. Under local anaesthetic, the section of the nail growing into the skin is cut away and that section of the nail bed from where it grows from the nail matrix is temporarily removed or removed and permantly deadened. The side of the nail that grows into or that irritated the skin of the nail sulci will now no longer exist to cause the problem and the nail that is left will be narrower.
The Cons of Nail Surgery include
- It is a surgical procedure thus dreaded local anaesthetic must be used. There is the possibility of the wound becoming infected and the inevitability of post-operative pain. The wound will usually take about 1 month to heal in which time the patient must ensure the wound is looked after and they may even be restricted from work duties and sport.
- The nail may be weakened by the procedure and may take a long time to heal if it ever does
- Aesthetically the nail will be changed, the shape will be narrower and there may be areas of nail that are no longer attached as a result of having been damaged by the procedure. This is usually a concern for ladies who want attractive nails
- There is a possibility that the nail regrows back to it’s original state, or worse, a nail spike grows separate the nail.
- Usually an involuted (curled) nail will continue to curl and thus the avulsion of the previous nail will have been just a removal of nail and not the problem at hand which will return with time.
The Pros of Nail Bracing
Nail bracing is a new treatment option to the Australian market which was originally developed in Ohio USA by Edward E. Stedman in 1873.The techinque was further improved and modernised in Germany. This successful treatment option aims to prevent the regrowth of ingrown toenails or decrease the formation of the hard, painful areas of skin that can form under the sides of especially the big toe nails.
The nail brace acts to elevate the nail plate and unload the pressure on the underlying skin along the sides of the nail. This allows the underlying skin to regain its strength and accept the pressure of the nail once more. It also elevates the nail on the toe and in some cases it can totally reduce the involution or inward curving of the toenail.Depending on the history and condition of the nail, Nail Bracing can be a very effective conservative treatment option, instead of Nail surgery.
The 3TO® Corrective Nail Brace system is a gentle alternative for regulating a malformed nail helping it to grow naturally. Surgery can be avoided and discomfort alleviated quickly and painlessly, long term, with this medical method.
The 3TO® Nail Brace is fitted painlessly, without local anaesthesia and the patient feels almost immediate relief. The brace takes only a few minutes to apply. There are almost no restrictions in every day life, work and sport.
Treatment for ingrown and involuted nails with a brace is not only gentler than surgery, but at times can actually be a more successful, controlled treatment option. This form of nail correction is suitable for nearly everyone, including children, diabetics and those with nickel allergies. Therapists and their patients are won over with the medical and cosmetic results.
