Ingrown Nail Surgery
Helping You Move Better
Expert care for painful toenails, right when you need it
Melbourne
Ingrown toenails are more than just a nuisance, they can be incredibly painful, impact your mobility, and increase the risk of serious infection. Chances are you’ve tried home remedies or basic nail care and the problem keeps coming back. It may be time to consider a more permanent solution.
At Spring Podiatry, we offer gentle and effective ingrown toenail surgery designed to relieve discomfort and reduce the chances of recurrence. With experience in thousands of procedures and a genuine passion for patient care, you’re in excellent hands.
What causes an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to redness, swelling, and pain. Left untreated, this can escalate to infection, discharge, and difficulty walking. They are so painful!
Common causes include:
- Poor nail trimming technique
- Tight-fitting shoes
- Trauma to the toe
- Genetic nail shape (curved or wide nails)
If your ingrown nail is recurring or infected, it’s time to see us.
What does ingrown nail surgery involve?
At Spring Podiatry, we typically perform a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) with phenolisation. This involves removing the problematic edge of the nail and applying phenol to the nail matrix to prevent regrowth in that section.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, so you’ll feel no pain during the surgery.
How do I know if I need Ingrown nail surgery?
Our expert Podiatrists will assess your ingrown nail, considering factors such as family history, chronicity of current ingrown nail, previous ingrown nails, medical history as well as current medications.
Ingrown nail surgery isn’t always the first-line treatment for an ingrown nail, but often it is the most long-term effective way to rid the problem for good. A permanent nail surgery is called a partial (or total if needed) nail avulsion with matrix phenolisation.
This means that a chemical is used during the procedure to cause the cells to stop producing nail in the areas where nail is not wanted, i.e. the corners.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic so the digit is completely numb to pain. Post-operative pain is minimal, and can usually be managed with paracetamol.
The podiatrists at Spring Podiatry are extremely experienced in nail surgery, having had years of mentoring from a trained podiatric surgeon, and presenting on an international stage to other podiatrists about nail surgery success
Benefits of ingrown toenail surgery
There are clear benefits to surgery:
- Fast and minimally invasive
- No stitches required
- High success rate (especially with phenol application)
- Minimal downtime (most people return to normal activity within a day or two)
Most patients experience only mild post-op discomfort, usually manageable with paracetamol.
Why choose Spring Podiatry?
We’re not just a clinic, we’re a team of highly trained professionals who genuinely care about your comfort and outcomes.
Our podiatrists:
- Offer both clinic-based and mobile home-visit services
- Provide compassionate, personalised care in a relaxed environment
You can visit us at our clinic in Melton. We also provide mobile services across Melbourne’s Greater West, making it easy to access care when and where you need it.
What to expect after surgery
Your toe will be bandaged after the procedure, and we’ll give you clear aftercare instructions.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment to check healing and ensure the area is infection-free.
Most people heal within 2–4 weeks, depending on overall health and footwear.
Is ingrown toenail surgery painful?
Most people say that the procedure is far more comfortable than they were expecting.
We have written a comprehensive blog that answers this very question, which you can read here.
How much does ingrown toenail surgery cost?
This is all inclusive of the appointment, local anaesthetic, procedure, dressings, and your follow up appointments.
If you have private health insurance with podiatry included in your extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate on this amount.
Can I walk after ingrown toenail surgery?
Yes, you will be able to walk out of the clinic after your procedure. No moon boot, no crutches, and certainly no wheelchair.
The numbness from the anaesthetic in your toe will last for a further one to two hours after the procedure. Although it may feel a bit strange, you will still be able to walk with the rest of your foot.
Your toe will be dressed with a thick protective bandage, so we recommend wearing open-toed footwear immediately after surgery to avoid putting pressure on the surgical site. You will find it hard to wear enclosed shoes because of the thick bandage.
Whilst you can walk, we recommend only performing incidental (as needed) walking around the home. You should avoid unnecessary walking where possible, to limit pressure to the surgical site as it begins to heal. In other words, give yourself permission to put your feet up!
Learn more in this blog article.
Can I have ingrown toenail surgery if I am breastfeeding?
Yes. The local anaesthetic used during the procedure (Xylocaine) is generally considered low risk for breastfeeding mothers and babies, as the amount that passes into breast milk is very minimal.
If you are still unsure, we suggest consulting with the Royal Children’s Hospital pharmacy, and/or your GP.
Can I have ingrown surgery if I am diabetic?
Yes. Generally speaking, it is safe to have ingrown toenail surgery if you are diabetic.
Leaving an ingrown toenail for too long can lead to infection, which can become a serious problem if you are diabetic. For this reason, it is sometimes best not to delay the decision.
Each surgical candidate is assessed individually on their suitability for surgery, and the associated risks and benefits of surgery will be discussed with you before proceeding.
Book online for fast relief
You don’t have to live with the discomfort, swelling, or uncertainty that comes with ingrown toenails. Whether it’s your first experience or a persistent issue, we’re here to support you. Take the first step toward pain-free feet and expert support.