In-Office Procedures

Nail Avulsion

Nail avulsion is a minor in-office procedure performed at Suburban Foot & Ankle to remove part or all of a problematic toenail, most commonly for painful ingrown toenails. Our Elmhurst and Bloomingdale podiatrists perform this quick, effective procedure to provide immediate relief and prevent recurrent infection.

Benefits

Immediate pain relief from ingrown or infected toenails
Quick in-office procedure — usually completed in under 30 minutes
Chemical matrixectomy option prevents the ingrown nail from growing back
Minimal downtime with most patients resuming activities within a day or two
Performed under local anesthesia for a comfortable experience

What to Expect

The toe is numbed with a local anesthetic injection. Your podiatrist then carefully removes the offending nail border or the entire nail plate using specialized instruments. If the ingrown toenail is recurrent, a chemical matrixectomy may be applied to prevent regrowth. The area is dressed with an antibiotic ointment and bandage, and you receive aftercare instructions.

When Is This Treatment Recommended?

Nail avulsion is recommended for painful ingrown toenails, toenails with active infection or drainage, recurrent ingrown nails that have not responded to conservative care, and severely damaged or traumatized toenails.