By Carly O’Donoghue, Stepping Out Podiatry
At our Landsborough and Kawana podiatry clinics, our Podiatrists perform nail surgery, or partial nail avulsion (PNA), on a daily basis providing patients with long term relief of chronic, painful nails.
What is a PNA?
Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) is the name of a procedure whereby a section of the nail is removed to provide relief from nails that are involuted, thickened, or growing into the side of the toe.
Is this for me?
This option is perfect for those who suffer with recurring painful or infected ingrown toenails. There may be medical reasons why you cannot have this procedure, however our Podiatrists can advise you around this.
Does everyone need a PNA?
No. If you are presenting to Stepping Out Podiatry for the first time, it is not likely that you will be undergoing a PNA. It is quite possible that our qualified Podiatrists can remove the ingrowing nail piece without surgery by performing conservative care.
Do I need an anesthetic?
Yes, your Podiatrist will numb your toe with a local anaesthetic. Podiatrists have specialty training in this area and with two quick injections at the base of the toe, we can numb the whole toe quickly and with minimal pain.
What should I expect?
A sterile field is set up to perform the procedure which minimises the risk of infection. The problematic toenail edge will be removed and a special chemical applied to the nail bed (which kills the cells that produce nail). A sterile dressing is applied to the site and your Podiatrist will talk to you about how to care for the wound.
The cleaner you keep your toe the faster you will be back playing sport or doing the things you love pain free.
For more information visit our website www.steppingoutpodiatry.com.au
Having the nail removed permanently can be less painful than having a reoccurring ingrown nail, so if you are worried about an ingrown nail, give us a call and we can direct you in your options.
