Toenail surgery (Easy Read)

Why you need this operation

This simple operation can stop pain. It can stop problems caused by toenails that are ingrown or look wrong.

Nail surgery is often a permanent cure (it lasts forever).

Preparing for your operation

Eat breakfast or lunch as normal, on the day of your operation.

Do not drink alcohol on the day of your operation.

Arrange for a taxi or someone to give you a lift home.

You must not drive or cycle home. Your foot will be numb and it would be dangerous.

You must not walk home, or take public transport, afterwards. This is to avoid the risk of bumping your foot after your operation.

What to bring with you

You need to bring the following with you on the day of your operation.

• Bring loose slippers or open-toed sandals to wear afterwards. This is because you will go home with a big dressing (bandage) on your toe.

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• Bring a list of any medications you are taking.
• Bring any medication you might need during the day (such as an asthma inhaler).
• You can bring a book, magazine or music to help you relax during your operation. Make sure you download your content to your device before you arrive. (The hospital wi-fi does not always work well).​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

When you arrive

You will meet a type of expert called a podiatrist. This is someone who knows about looking after feet.

The podiatrist will do the following.

• Look at your past medical history.
• Ask if you currently take any medications.
• Look at your toe(s).

They will explain what happens during the foot operation. You can ask questions.

If you agree to have the operation, they will ask you to sign a form.

If you are under 16, a parent or guardian must sign for you.

Making sure you do not feel pain

Before the operation, the podiatrist will give your toe a small anaesthetic injection. The injection will be on both sides of your toe. This will stop you feeling any pain.

After a few minutes, your toe will feel numb and tingly.

When your toe is numb, the podiatrist can start the operation.

During the operation

You can expect the following during your operation.

• The podiatrist will put a rubber band around your toe. This rubber band is called a tourniquet.

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• They will remove the part of your toe that is causing you a problem.
• When they do this, you will not feel pain, but you may feel them pressing down on the toe.
• They will put a small amount of special chemical on the toe.  This is called Phenol. It stops the nail from growing back.

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• The podiatrist will take the rubber band off your toe.
• They will put a dressing (bandage) on your toe. You must keep this dressing on, and keep it dry, until your next appointment with the podiatrist.

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Afterwards

Your toe will stay numb for a few hours. Be careful not to bump it.

Side effects

This operation can have some side effects (things that happen afterwards). This is because we give you some anaesthetic and use a chemical called Phenol, during the operation.

This list shows the side effects, starting with the most common and ending with the least common.

• bleeding 
• pain
• wound takes longer than usual to heal
• infection in the wound
• skin burns from the Phenol we use on the toenail
• nail or part of the nail may grow back
• toe may feel different or numb
• nail or skin around the toe may look or grow differently
• remaining part of the nail may come off and not grow back
• numbness may continue for a long time
• a condition called CRPS can cause long-lasting pain and swelling. This is very rare.
• a serious allergic reaction to the numbing (anaphylaxis). This is very rare.

More information

[LVS to add link to Easy-Read toenail after-care when that leaflet is finalised]