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| Author | Etienne Sciberras |
| Abstract | An in-growing toenail is the condition when a spike shoulder or serrated edge of the nail pierces the epidermis of the sulcus and penetrates the dermal tissue. Initially it causes little inconvenience but as the nail grows the offending portion penetrates further into the tissue and promotes an acute inflammation in the surrounding soft tissue which would be very painful. Treatments can be conservative or surgical. The most frequently techniques used in the UK are also used in Malta. Conservative treatment is used when there is no chance of recurrence of the condition. Surgery is used when the nail is very painful or when there is a chance that the nail would give any further problems. There are different types of surgical treatments. The most preferred by the podiatrists is the phenolic segmental ablation which has a very low percentage rate of recurrence. The surgery may be partial or total nail avulsion, using the Zadik surgery. It is a more complicated procedure and it has a high recurrence rate. Prevention is better than cure. This condition may sometimes be prevented by wearing well fitting shoes and correct cutting of the nails. This condition may be secondary to fungal infection of the nail. The nail grows irregularly, involutes and pierces the sulcus. Nail growth is continuous throughout life, so periodic cutting is necessarily and incorrect performance of this task may lead to in-growing toenail which is very painful. The free edge of a nail should be cut straight across or slight convex with all rough and sharp edges smoothed. It should never be cut so short as to expose the nail bed. The overall aim should be to ensure the nail complies with the shape of the toe. |
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| Key words | Podiatry, Thesis, In growing Toenail |