Nail surgery

What is nail surgery

Matrixectomy is a surgical procedure performed in podiatry to permanently treat an ingrown toenail when conservative treatments have not been effective.

The technique consists of the partial or total removal of the germinal matrix, which is responsible for nail growth, preventing the affected edge from growing back. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and aseptic conditions, using a surgical technique tailored to clinical assessment and patient characteristics.

Partial matrixectomy

Only the lateral strip of the nail that digs in is removed, along with the section of the matrix that produces it, so that edge does not grow back. The rest of the nail remains as it is, slightly narrower. It is the definitive treatment for recurring ingrown toenails.

Total matrixectomy

The entire nail is removed along with its whole matrix, meaning it no longer grows back. It is reserved for severely thickened or deformed nails that become ingrown on both sides or cause pain and recurrent infections with no other solution.

What the procedure involves

• Before: the foot is examined and your medical history is reviewed. If you have diabetes, circulation problems, or take blood thinners, please mention this during the consultation, as it will be taken into account before surgery.
• During: it is performed under local anaesthetic in the toe, in the clinic, and without hospital admission.
• After: you walk out wearing a dressing. Follow-up wound care instructions will be provided, along with advice to wear wide footwear and refrain from impact sports for a while.

When to consult

• An ingrown toenail that returns even if cut correctly.
• Recurrent infections in the same toe.
• Thickened or deformed nails that hurt when wearing shoes.
• Any wound or ingrown toenail if you have diabetes.