Minor Surgical Procedures
Chiropodists are trained to perform a variety of surgical procedures such as nail surgery, excisions, and tendon releases. These minor soft-tissue surgical procedures are performed in-office and often take only 30-minutes to complete.
Nail Surgery
Our Chiropodists may recommend nail surgery for patients dealing with ingrown toenails. There are different treatment options depending on the severity of the ingrown nail and the frequency which they occur. Nail spicule removal or, in more severe cases, a surgical procedure to permanently prevent regrowth, are two possible treatment options.
For patients dealing with a first time or less-severe ingrown toenail, the Chiropodist may focus solely on removing the nail spicule (the piece of nail that is growing into the skin and causing the infection). In this procedure, local anesthetic is used to numb the area while the necessary nail, or spicule, is removed. The Chiropodist may also prescribe antibiotics if there is infection present.
In more serious cases, our Chiropodists will recommend a surgical procedure called a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) to permanently prevent regrowth of the ingrown toenail. This surgery is best for patients who regularly suffer from ingrown toenails and are seeking a permanent solution. In this surgery, the toe is numbed with local anesthetic, and a small portion along the side of the toenail is completely removed. Next, the toe is treated with a special chemical to disallow for regrowth. After surgery, the nail will be slightly narrower, but will appear normal (and ingrown free!).
The anesthetic will typically wear off within 1 to 2 hours after the surgery is complete. Patients are able to weight bear immediately following the procedure, and typically heal within one week. There is usually minimal pain associated with this procedure, allowing patients to quickly return to their normal activities. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled for one week after the nail surgery to check on progress of the healing and to ensure there are no signs of infection.
Nail Spicule Removal
Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA)
Tenotomy
A tenotomy is a procedure Chiropodists perform to correct toe deformities like hammertoes. A tenotomy is a simple, low-risk procedure that can be performed in the office without the need for an incision.
The procedure begins with the Chiropodist using local anesthetic to numb the toe. Once numb, a small needle is introduced to the underside of the toe at the location of the flexor tendon. The needle is then used to sever the tendon, relieving the contracture and straightening out the toe.
Following the surgery, the anesthetic will typically wear off within 7 to 8 hours. Patients are able to weight bear immediately following the procedure, and typically heal within two weeks. Patients should avoid constrictive footwear during the healing process, and are encouraged to rest with the limb elevated as much as possible within the first 24 hours after the surgery. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled for one week after the procedure to check-in with the Chiropodist and to ensure the healing process is on track.
Wart Excision
The wart excision procedure is designed to completely remove stubborn warts and the surrounding infected tissue. The surgery begins with the Chiropodist injecting local anesthetic to numb the area. Once the foot is fully anesthetized, they will cut away the edges of the wart to separate the infected tissue from the healthy tissue. Next, a curette (a surgical instrument that has a small scoop, ring, or loop at the tip) will be used to remove any remaining infected tissue. Afterward, the wound will be dressed, and the Chiropodist will provide post-operative instructions to guide your recovery.
The anesthetic will typically wear off within 1 to 2 hours. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled for one week after the procedure to check in with the Chiropodist and ensure everything is healing properly.
It is vital to treat plantar warts before they spread on the foot, to other parts of the body, or to other people.