Partial Nail Avulsion

 

Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) is a procedure performed at castle hill podiatry that removes a piece of nail from the edge of an ingrown toenail to relieve it. Applying a chemical agent to the root of the nail area to prevent re-growth of the nail sliver stops the nail growth. The procedure takes approx 20 minutes to complete. 

 

When is it indicated?

 

Nail surgery can be indicated in a variety of circumstances: ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, trauma, a wart or corn under your nail. When it is not indicated?The PNA is not recommended of you suffer from certain medical conditions such as; Uncontrolled high blood pressure, angina, a bone infection, extreme bleeding disorders, recent heart surgery, immunocompromised patients, allergy/previous bad reactions to local anaesthetic and also if the area is highly infected. High precautions will be taken if you have any special medical condition.

 

What happens in the procedure?

 

Two local anaesthetic injections are administered in the toe to ensure the whole toe is anaesthesised. The nail plate is then cut down to the base of the nail sliver and skilled with a chemical agent, phenol. The area is then packed and redressed with special anti-becterial foam dressings. The wound needs to be kept dry until its healed. Normally it can take upto 4-6 weeks depending on how infected the area has been, duration of ingrown nail and the skin damage around it. The nail may look narrower once the wound is healed.

 

Possible side effects?

 

The main problem is the potential for re-growth of the ingrown, with many underlying reasons. It is documented to occur in approx 10 percent of patients. If this occurs, the area is treated/chemical agent applied, all free of charge. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the practice.