Nail Surgery at Kenilworth Footcare: What to Expect from Consultation to Recovery

Dealing with persistent nail problems can significantly impact your daily life, from the discomfort of wearing shoes to avoiding activities you love. At Kenilworth Footcare, Warwickshire, we understand how frustrating ongoing nail issues can be, which is why we offer professional nail surgery services with an impressive 90% success rate and comprehensive care from consultation through recovery.

When is Nail Surgery Recommended?

Nail surgery isn't our first recommendation – we always explore conservative treatments first. However, surgery becomes the preferred option when:

Persistent Ingrown Toenails refuse to respond to regular podiatry care. If you've been dealing with the same problematic nail for months, experiencing repeated episodes of pain, swelling, and infection, surgical intervention can provide permanent relief.

Recurring Nail Problems that return despite professional conservative treatment indicate that the nail's growth pattern needs to be permanently altered. This is particularly common when the nail plate is naturally too wide or curved.

Severe Pain Affecting Daily Activities is a clear indicator that more definitive treatment is needed. When you're modifying your shoe choices, avoiding exercise, or experiencing sleep disruption due to nail pain, surgery can restore your quality of life.

The Consultation Process: Your Journey Begins Here

At Kenilworth Footcare, we believe in thorough assessment before recommending any surgical procedure. Our consultation process involves:

Comprehensive Assessment of your nail history, previous treatments tried, and current symptoms. We examine the nail structure, surrounding tissue, and assess how the problem is affecting your daily activities.

Discussion of Surgical Options tailored to your specific condition. We offer several surgical techniques, including:

• Partial nail avulsion for ingrown edges

• Total nail avulsion for severely damaged nails

• Phenolisation to prevent regrowth of problematic nail sections

• Laser matrixectomy as an alternative to phenol

Clear Explanation of what the procedure involves, expected outcomes, and realistic recovery timelines. We ensure you understand exactly what to expect and feel confident in your decision.

Opportunity for Questions – we encourage patients to ask anything they're unsure about. Our team takes time to address all concerns before proceeding.

The Procedure: Professional Care in Comfortable Surroundings

Local Anaesthetic Process: We use effective local anaesthetic to ensure you're completely comfortable throughout the procedure. The injection takes just moments, and you'll feel only slight pressure during the surgery itself.

Surgical Techniques: Our experienced podiatrists use precise surgical techniques tailored to your specific condition. Whether removing a small section of ingrown nail or addressing the entire nail, we work methodically to ensure optimal results.

Duration: Most nail surgery procedures take 15-30 minutes, depending on complexity. You'll be able to walk immediately after the procedure, though we recommend taking it easy for the first few days. You won't be insured to drive until the anaesthetic wears off completely, so you will need to arrange a lift following the procedure.

Pain Management: The local anaesthetic provides several hours of pain relief. We provide detailed guidance on managing any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off, including appropriate pain relief options.

Recovery Timeline: What to Expect

One of the most reassuring aspects of nail surgery at Kenilworth Footcare is our average 4-6-week recovery time. Here's what you can typically expect:

Days 1-3: Keep the foot elevated when possible, change dressings as instructed, and avoid getting the area wet. Some discomfort is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.

Week 1: Initial healing begins. You can usually return to desk-based work within 2-3 days, wearing open-toed shoes or loose-fitting footwear.

Week 2: Significant improvement in comfort. Most patients can return to normal footwear, though we recommend avoiding tight shoes for a little longer.

Weeks 3-4: Complete healing for most patients. You can gradually return to all normal activities, including exercise and sports.

Follow-up Schedule: We see you at 2 days post-surgery, then at 1-2 weeks, and finally at 4 weeks to ensure complete healing and address any concerns.

Success Rates and Outcomes: Results You Can Trust

We're proud of our 90% success rate with nail surgery – but what does "success" actually mean?

Practical Success means permanent resolution of the original problem. No more ingrown toenails, no more recurring infections, and no more daily discomfort from problematic nails.

Long-term Results show that patients can return to all their normal activities without nail-related limitations. Whether you're a runner, dancer, or simply want to wear your favourite shoes comfortably, successful nail surgery restores your freedom.

Quality of Life Improvement is often the most significant outcome. Patients frequently tell us they wish they'd had the procedure sooner, having forgotten what it felt like to walk without discomfort.

Post-Surgery Care: Supporting Your Recovery

Detailed Aftercare Instructions are provided both verbally and in writing. These cover dressing changes, hygiene, activity modifications, and pain management strategies.

Signs to Watch For include excessive bleeding, increasing pain, signs of infection, or any concerns about healing. We provide clear guidance on what's normal and what requires attention.

When to Contact Us: We encourage patients to call with any concerns, no matter how minor they might seem. Our team is always available to provide reassurance and guidance.

Ongoing Support: From your 2-day follow-up through complete healing, we monitor your progress closely and adjust care recommendations as needed.

Real Patient Experiences

"I'd been dealing with an ingrown toenail for over a year, trying everything to avoid surgery. Finally, I couldn't put it off any longer. The procedure was much easier than I expected, and within a month, I was back to running pain-free. I only wish I'd done it sooner!" – Sarah, Kenilworth

"The team at Kenilworth Footcare made the whole process so straightforward. They explained everything clearly, the surgery was virtually painless, and the follow-up care was excellent. Six months later, no problems at all." – Michael, Leamington Spa

"As someone who's on their feet all day for work, I was worried about the recovery time. But I was back to normal activities much quicker than expected, and the relief from chronic pain has been life-changing." – Emma, Warwick

Taking the Next Step

If you're struggling with persistent nail problems, don't let them continue to impact your life. At Kenilworth Footcare, we combine surgical expertise with compassionate care to deliver results that last.

Our comprehensive approach ensures you're fully informed, comfortable throughout the process, and supported during recovery. With our 90% success rate and average 4-week recovery time, nail surgery could be the solution you've been looking for.

Ready to discuss your options? Contact Kenilworth Footcare on 01926 563555 or book online at www.kenilworthfootcare.co.uk. Our experienced team is here to help you take the first step toward pain-free feet.

Located at 2 Oaks Precinct, Kenilworth CV8 1DP, with free parking and ground floor access. We're here to help you get back to the activities you love, comfortably and confidently.