While I'm here... Chiropodists!
Discussion
I've been instructed to go and get my manky toe looked at and have an appointment next week, but does it hurt? I've heard they cut bits of toe away to get the nail out.
I dropped a 20kg plate on my big toe in the gym last year and split it open and removed the nail, but they stitched it up and slotted the nail back in it's root (makes my bum pout now, just thinking about it!)
The nail took an age to grow back and now the end of my toe hurts, and I think it may have split so one bit is stunted on top of my toe (looks normal but a bit short) and the bottom layer of the nail has grown inside my toe. Anyway... Can they do magic things or is my toe about to be opened up again?
I'll post before and after pics if it ends up being really gory
I dropped a 20kg plate on my big toe in the gym last year and split it open and removed the nail, but they stitched it up and slotted the nail back in it's root (makes my bum pout now, just thinking about it!)
The nail took an age to grow back and now the end of my toe hurts, and I think it may have split so one bit is stunted on top of my toe (looks normal but a bit short) and the bottom layer of the nail has grown inside my toe. Anyway... Can they do magic things or is my toe about to be opened up again?
I'll post before and after pics if it ends up being really gory
I said:
I had issues with my big toe for about 4 years. Firstly it was just a bit swollen, then it got to stupid levels of flesh.
Every 2-4 weeks for about 6 months I got the nail snipped where it was ingrowing. It was ment to help by letting the skin heal and then the nail would grow, but it didnt.
So I went to the docs and got referred. Set up a appointment at a hospital. 2 Massive needles either side of the nail, pliers on nail, and PULL!!! I dont think the anastedic worked as it was stupidly painful. He then cut my nail bed out and a bit of where the nail grows from, so it would grow back but not on the side it was ingrowing. That resulted in 2 weeks off work (had to have foot up and redressed twice a day) Luckly the doctors was litreally across the street.
Once the nail grew back, same problem, but worse! So went to a different county specialist foot hospital (weird, some kind of fetish place). The bloke was much better and took more care. The needles still hurt like fook. 5 minutes later I asked when he was going to pull the nail. And then he showed me it in the pliers. Job done.
Silver nitrate on the nail bed and its never grown back since. I was driving 2 days later.
This is my story taken from my forum. Want pics?Every 2-4 weeks for about 6 months I got the nail snipped where it was ingrowing. It was ment to help by letting the skin heal and then the nail would grow, but it didnt.
So I went to the docs and got referred. Set up a appointment at a hospital. 2 Massive needles either side of the nail, pliers on nail, and PULL!!! I dont think the anastedic worked as it was stupidly painful. He then cut my nail bed out and a bit of where the nail grows from, so it would grow back but not on the side it was ingrowing. That resulted in 2 weeks off work (had to have foot up and redressed twice a day) Luckly the doctors was litreally across the street.
Once the nail grew back, same problem, but worse! So went to a different county specialist foot hospital (weird, some kind of fetish place). The bloke was much better and took more care. The needles still hurt like fook. 5 minutes later I asked when he was going to pull the nail. And then he showed me it in the pliers. Job done.
Silver nitrate on the nail bed and its never grown back since. I was driving 2 days later.
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 29th December 15:10
illmonkey][quote said:
I had issues with my big toe for about 4 years. Firstly it was just a bit swollen, then it got to stupid levels of flesh.
Every 2-4 weeks for about 6 months I got the nail snipped where it was ingrowing. It was ment to help by letting the skin heal and then the nail would grow, but it didnt.
So I went to the docs and got referred. Set up a appointment at a hospital. 2 Massive needles either side of the nail, pliers on nail, and PULL!!! I dont think the anastedic worked as it was stupidly painful. He then cut my nail bed out and a bit of where the nail grows from, so it would grow back but not on the side it was ingrowing. That resulted in 2 weeks off work (had to have foot up and redressed twice a day) Luckly the doctors was litreally across the street.
Once the nail grew back, same problem, but worse! So went to a different county specialist foot hospital (weird, some kind of fetish place). The bloke was much better and took more care. The needles still hurt like fook. 5 minutes later I asked when he was going to pull the nail. And then he showed me it in the pliers. Job done.
Silver nitrate on the nail bed and its never grown back since. I was driving 2 days later.
This is my story taken from my forum. Want pics?Every 2-4 weeks for about 6 months I got the nail snipped where it was ingrowing. It was ment to help by letting the skin heal and then the nail would grow, but it didnt.
So I went to the docs and got referred. Set up a appointment at a hospital. 2 Massive needles either side of the nail, pliers on nail, and PULL!!! I dont think the anastedic worked as it was stupidly painful. He then cut my nail bed out and a bit of where the nail grows from, so it would grow back but not on the side it was ingrowing. That resulted in 2 weeks off work (had to have foot up and redressed twice a day) Luckly the doctors was litreally across the street.
Once the nail grew back, same problem, but worse! So went to a different county specialist foot hospital (weird, some kind of fetish place). The bloke was much better and took more care. The needles still hurt like fook. 5 minutes later I asked when he was going to pull the nail. And then he showed me it in the pliers. Job done.
Silver nitrate on the nail bed and its never grown back since. I was driving 2 days later.
I lost mine of the original injury (phone broke) but I put a few friend off their tea that night with my picture messages.
What's the deal with those anaesthetic needles? s
t that hury more than anything they could have done with that scalpel and the sewing up. 
KingRichard said:
illmonkey said:
I said:
I had issues with my big toe for about 4 years. Firstly it was just a bit swollen, then it got to stupid levels of flesh.
Every 2-4 weeks for about 6 months I got the nail snipped where it was ingrowing. It was ment to help by letting the skin heal and then the nail would grow, but it didnt.
So I went to the docs and got referred. Set up a appointment at a hospital. 2 Massive needles either side of the nail, pliers on nail, and PULL!!! I dont think the anastedic worked as it was stupidly painful. He then cut my nail bed out and a bit of where the nail grows from, so it would grow back but not on the side it was ingrowing. That resulted in 2 weeks off work (had to have foot up and redressed twice a day) Luckly the doctors was litreally across the street.
Once the nail grew back, same problem, but worse! So went to a different county specialist foot hospital (weird, some kind of fetish place). The bloke was much better and took more care. The needles still hurt like fook. 5 minutes later I asked when he was going to pull the nail. And then he showed me it in the pliers. Job done.
Silver nitrate on the nail bed and its never grown back since. I was driving 2 days later.
This is my story taken from my forum. Want pics?Every 2-4 weeks for about 6 months I got the nail snipped where it was ingrowing. It was ment to help by letting the skin heal and then the nail would grow, but it didnt.
So I went to the docs and got referred. Set up a appointment at a hospital. 2 Massive needles either side of the nail, pliers on nail, and PULL!!! I dont think the anastedic worked as it was stupidly painful. He then cut my nail bed out and a bit of where the nail grows from, so it would grow back but not on the side it was ingrowing. That resulted in 2 weeks off work (had to have foot up and redressed twice a day) Luckly the doctors was litreally across the street.
Once the nail grew back, same problem, but worse! So went to a different county specialist foot hospital (weird, some kind of fetish place). The bloke was much better and took more care. The needles still hurt like fook. 5 minutes later I asked when he was going to pull the nail. And then he showed me it in the pliers. Job done.
Silver nitrate on the nail bed and its never grown back since. I was driving 2 days later.
I lost mine of the original injury (phone broke) but I put a few friend off their tea that night with my picture messages.
What's the deal with those anaesthetic needles? s
t that hury more than anything they could have done with that scalpel and the sewing up. 
They aren't great quality. As you can see the first is on the right, this is the time the nail bed was cut out. the other 3 are on the left, which was the nitrate.GRAPHIC PHOTOS - DONT CLICK!
http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00001me...
http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00495m...
http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc03131m...
http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc03140m...
I dont get the needles, to the bone is bloody painful. As I said, I done think they even worked. I could feel everything.
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 29th December 15:20
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 29th December 15:23
As long as you see a State Registered Chiropodist (anyone with SRCh after their name) you should be fine. Worst case scenario from what you have described maybe a partial nail avulsion (removal of part of the nail from the side giving you jip). Local anaesthetic, quick trim and then use phenol to kill the nail bed on that side to prevent nail regrowth. Wound will be dressed and then you're off with a review to see how you are healing etc etc. Should not be out of action for long. However, once I'd had my toe nails removed from my big toes I was pleasantly suprised by the increased frequency of people standing on my toes!!!
ok used to have lots of issues with ingrowing toenails, remember doing self surgery with leatherman scissors, the needle nose pliers and nail clippers...
ended up seeing the chiropodist for more and more frequent visits...
so 2nd dec had both sets of ingrowing toenails removed from both toes.
3 injections, 1st on the inside front, little prick, then the next one goes the other side, felt like it went into the nerve, third one on the underside at the toe joint, that really fking hurt, apparently it was ok and expected to swear. other toe was worse...
one toe had a good 1/2 inch nail removed, but guy had a good look around and could see why both toes giving me soo much hassle.
Arrange to get at least 2 weeks sick leave, went back to work after 7 days, driving in slow moving traffic ripped the wounds open, boss then realised that better to take sufficient time off than get them infected. Mine have an infection and am on 4x a day penicillin for 7 days
pictures can be found if wanted
- took them in case the boss wanted proof
get a 1-2 kg sack of salt from the shop and have hot salty foot soak in the morning at least.
no showers or swimming allowed, u have to put bags over feet for the shower, soap into the wound apparently not fun
u will need someone to help u drive as u will not be able to drive and the treatment would invalidate any insurance u have
ensure u have lots of films to watch as u will need to have legs elevated with no socks for as long as possible.
overall it is worth it and have recommended it to people who have asked
ended up seeing the chiropodist for more and more frequent visits...
so 2nd dec had both sets of ingrowing toenails removed from both toes.
3 injections, 1st on the inside front, little prick, then the next one goes the other side, felt like it went into the nerve, third one on the underside at the toe joint, that really f
king hurt, apparently it was ok and expected to swear. other toe was worse...one toe had a good 1/2 inch nail removed, but guy had a good look around and could see why both toes giving me soo much hassle.
Arrange to get at least 2 weeks sick leave, went back to work after 7 days, driving in slow moving traffic ripped the wounds open, boss then realised that better to take sufficient time off than get them infected. Mine have an infection and am on 4x a day penicillin for 7 days
pictures can be found if wanted
- took them in case the boss wanted proofget a 1-2 kg sack of salt from the shop and have hot salty foot soak in the morning at least.
no showers or swimming allowed, u have to put bags over feet for the shower, soap into the wound apparently not fun
u will need someone to help u drive as u will not be able to drive and the treatment would invalidate any insurance u have
ensure u have lots of films to watch as u will need to have legs elevated with no socks for as long as possible.
overall it is worth it and have recommended it to people who have asked
Scraggles said:
ok used to have lots of issues with ingrowing toenails, remember doing self surgery with leatherman scissors, the needle nose pliers and nail clippers...
ended up seeing the chiropodist for more and more frequent visits...
so 2nd dec had both sets of ingrowing toenails removed from both toes.
3 injections, 1st on the inside front, little prick, then the next one goes the other side, felt like it went into the nerve, third one on the underside at the toe joint, that really fking hurt, apparently it was ok and expected to swear. other toe was worse...
one toe had a good 1/2 inch nail removed, but guy had a good look around and could see why both toes giving me soo much hassle.
Arrange to get at least 2 weeks sick leave, went back to work after 7 days, driving in slow moving traffic ripped the wounds open, boss then realised that better to take sufficient time off than get them infected. Mine have an infection and am on 4x a day penicillin for 7 days
pictures can be found if wanted - took them in case the boss wanted proof
get a 1-2 kg sack of salt from the shop and have hot salty foot soak in the morning at least.
no showers or swimming allowed, u have to put bags over feet for the shower, soap into the wound apparently not fun
u will need someone to help u drive as u will not be able to drive and the treatment would invalidate any insurance u have
ensure u have lots of films to watch as u will need to have legs elevated with no socks for as long as possible.
overall it is worth it and have recommended it to people who have asked
No fended up seeing the chiropodist for more and more frequent visits...
so 2nd dec had both sets of ingrowing toenails removed from both toes.
3 injections, 1st on the inside front, little prick, then the next one goes the other side, felt like it went into the nerve, third one on the underside at the toe joint, that really f
king hurt, apparently it was ok and expected to swear. other toe was worse...one toe had a good 1/2 inch nail removed, but guy had a good look around and could see why both toes giving me soo much hassle.
Arrange to get at least 2 weeks sick leave, went back to work after 7 days, driving in slow moving traffic ripped the wounds open, boss then realised that better to take sufficient time off than get them infected. Mine have an infection and am on 4x a day penicillin for 7 days
pictures can be found if wanted
- took them in case the boss wanted proofget a 1-2 kg sack of salt from the shop and have hot salty foot soak in the morning at least.
no showers or swimming allowed, u have to put bags over feet for the shower, soap into the wound apparently not fun
u will need someone to help u drive as u will not be able to drive and the treatment would invalidate any insurance u have
ensure u have lots of films to watch as u will need to have legs elevated with no socks for as long as possible.
overall it is worth it and have recommended it to people who have asked
king way...I drive a cab for a living and I'm starting my new training routine TODAY that involves swimming and running 5 times a week.
I guess it can't be that bad if I'm able to do all this stuff without any pain. It just looks funny and hurts when I jab it.
Do this op one or twice a month. Most GP's who are registered on their minor surgery list at their PCT will do this for you without the big bill from the chiropodist.
Nice fun operation. Even with a ring anaesthetic (the two injections, one either side for the digital nerves) you won't lose touch sensation completely but you should lose pain. In other words you'll feel pulling and pushing but no sharp knife like pain when the scissors are shoved up between the nail and the nail bed to free them apart.
Mostly this allows the nail to regrown after a period of rest for the toe, or the bed ablation if you want the nail never to grow again.
Nice fun operation. Even with a ring anaesthetic (the two injections, one either side for the digital nerves) you won't lose touch sensation completely but you should lose pain. In other words you'll feel pulling and pushing but no sharp knife like pain when the scissors are shoved up between the nail and the nail bed to free them apart.
Mostly this allows the nail to regrown after a period of rest for the toe, or the bed ablation if you want the nail never to grow again.
broadside said:
As long as you see a State Registered Chiropodist (anyone with SRCh after their name) you should be fine. Worst case scenario from what you have described maybe a partial nail avulsion (removal of part of the nail from the side giving you jip). Local anaesthetic, quick trim and then use phenol to kill the nail bed on that side to prevent nail regrowth. Wound will be dressed and then you're off with a review to see how you are healing etc etc. Should not be out of action for long. However, once I'd had my toe nails removed from my big toes I was pleasantly suprised by the increased frequency of people standing on my toes!!!
State registered isn't used anymore. You want HPC registered and preferably BSc(Pod), MchS "Podiatrist" is now a protected name, so watch out for "Foot care specialists" and the like!
Edited by smartie on Tuesday 30th December 00:09
The jabs shouldn't really hurt as the needles used these days are extremely narrow, but that said big tough blokes tend to complain most, and people with tattoos often faint during such procedures.
in terms of getting it done most GP's will do them as Julian mentioned above, there is a bit of a post code lottery with regard nhs foot health services, some areas are well provided and you could get treatment quickly, others less so
s
in terms of getting it done most GP's will do them as Julian mentioned above, there is a bit of a post code lottery with regard nhs foot health services, some areas are well provided and you could get treatment quickly, others less so
s
Have you had the toe X-Rayed to see if you have damaged the bone underneath? - that may be what is causing the pain.
If this is the case, you may need surgical correction of the damaged bone.
If you have damaged the growing part of the nail, and the nail is growing thicker or unevenly, then it may be necessare to remove the whole nail permanently. If it is just one side of the nail that is a problem, it may be possible to remove just that part and leave the rest intact.
There are two methods of toe nail removal. The first uses a less invasive method of removal and uses a chemical called phenol to remove the growing part of the nail. Our department's stats show this to be 90-95% effective, so there is a chance of regrowth. You can have all or part of the nail removed depending on what is needed. This usually takes 6-8 weeks to heal and you MUST follow the post op advice to reduce the chances of an infection. That means taking it easy with excercise for a few weeks and no swimming (filthy places, swimming pools!).
The other method involves an incision into the toe to physically remove the growing part of the nail. Again there are options on partial or total removal. The toe is then stitched up. This heals more quickly, but is generally more painful once the anaesthetic wears off. There is a chance of regrowth, but it's still a fairly low percentage that need further surgery.
No practioner should proceed with nail removal if the anaesthetic has not taken - if you can still feel pain, tell the practitioner! There are various reasons for local anaesthesia not working, if the toe is infected it changes the pH of the tissues and alters the effectiveness of the LA, for example.
Most NHS Podiatry departments should provide a nail surgery service - have a look on the website for your local PCT.
PM me if you would like any other info - I used to run the Nail Surgery service in our area, can tell you what questions to ask!
If this is the case, you may need surgical correction of the damaged bone.
If you have damaged the growing part of the nail, and the nail is growing thicker or unevenly, then it may be necessare to remove the whole nail permanently. If it is just one side of the nail that is a problem, it may be possible to remove just that part and leave the rest intact.
There are two methods of toe nail removal. The first uses a less invasive method of removal and uses a chemical called phenol to remove the growing part of the nail. Our department's stats show this to be 90-95% effective, so there is a chance of regrowth. You can have all or part of the nail removed depending on what is needed. This usually takes 6-8 weeks to heal and you MUST follow the post op advice to reduce the chances of an infection. That means taking it easy with excercise for a few weeks and no swimming (filthy places, swimming pools!).
The other method involves an incision into the toe to physically remove the growing part of the nail. Again there are options on partial or total removal. The toe is then stitched up. This heals more quickly, but is generally more painful once the anaesthetic wears off. There is a chance of regrowth, but it's still a fairly low percentage that need further surgery.
No practioner should proceed with nail removal if the anaesthetic has not taken - if you can still feel pain, tell the practitioner! There are various reasons for local anaesthesia not working, if the toe is infected it changes the pH of the tissues and alters the effectiveness of the LA, for example.
Most NHS Podiatry departments should provide a nail surgery service - have a look on the website for your local PCT.
PM me if you would like any other info - I used to run the Nail Surgery service in our area, can tell you what questions to ask!
broadside said:
Worst case scenario from what you have described maybe a partial nail avulsion (removal of part of the nail from the side giving you jip). Local anaesthetic, quick trim and then use phenol to kill the nail bed on that side to prevent nail regrowth. Wound will be dressed and then you're off with a review to see how you are healing etc
Strangely enough that is what had done, it was the chiropodist and his 2 nurses that done the op, the trainee nurse seems to have done a much better job than the chiropodist as well - forgot about the phenol People in the office know about the toes, anyone stands on them for a laugh is going to get kneed in the balls as would treat it as assault, tempted to wear toe-tecs to the office just in case
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