At the Footcare Centre, our chiropodists undertake minor surgical treatments to nail, skin, tendons and nerves. Examples include ingrown toenails, warts, corns, cysts, mallet toes, Morton's neuroma, and plantar fasciitis. Onwards referral for orthopaedic surgical assessment may also be advised by chiropodists for some more extensive problems such as bone conditions.
The most common surgery performed by chiropodists is to manage damaged, ingrown, involuted (curly), thickened and painful toenails. Toenail surgery is carried out by chiropodists under local anaesthetic. A numbing agent is injected into the toe. This makes the procedure totally painless. It takes about 15-30 minutes to perform.
If only one side of the nail is causing problems, a partial nail avulsion will be performed, where a piece of toenail is removed from the side that is problematic. To prevent that piece of nail from growing back, a chemical is applied to the nail bed/matrix.
Based on the extent of damage to the nail, the entire nail may need to be removed. This is called a total nail avulsion.
Ask your chiropodist about the conservative and longer term elective solutions for toenails.
Advanced treatments for corns and plantar warts are available. Our chiropodists have special interest in these areas.
Following assessment and confirmation of a corn or wart, treatment may involve electing for simple, conservative treatments in office or at home. However, where suitable, electing for treatment such as Falkners Needling, Swift microwave treatment or laser surgery can offer an alternative treatment option for persistent, intractable, or painful skin lesions.
Class IV Lasers are surgical lasers. Lasers allow the users the ability to undertake a wide range of treatments including the treatment of sports injuries, wounds, dermatological conditions and undertake surgery.
It is accepted that management of fungal nails (onychomycosis) can utilise the special properties of a Class IV surgical laser in order to facilitate a temporary improvement in the appearance of the nails. We utilise a specific laser beam wavelength (or ‘colour’ of light) at 1064nm which is an example of an infrared laser.
At the initial consultation the most appropriate treatment plan will be discussed by your chiropodist following an assessment.
