Effective, lasting relief — from conservative care to permanent correction.
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. While occasional discomfort may resolve with home care, recurring or infected ingrown nails require professional treatment. At FAS-Ames, we offer a range of solutions tailored to the severity of your condition and your long-term goals.
Onyfix is a pain-free, adhesive nail correction system designed to gently reshape the nail as it grows. A composite band is applied to the surface of the nail, producing a corrective tension that guides the nail back to a natural, flat position over time. No needles, no cutting — just gradual realignment.
Onyfix is an excellent option for patients who want to avoid procedures, including children, athletes, and those with diabetes or circulatory concerns who may not be ideal surgical candidates. Most cases require periodic band reapplications over several months as the nail grows out.
When conservative measures haven’t resolved the problem, a partial nail avulsion is a quick, effective in-office procedure. After applying a local anesthetic, your podiatrist removes the ingrown edge of the nail, providing immediate relief. The nail border grows back over the following weeks to months.
This approach is ideal for patients experiencing a first-time or situational ingrown nail without a history of recurrence. Recovery is straightforward — most patients return to normal footwear and daily activity within a day or two.
For patients with chronic, repeatedly infected, or structurally problematic ingrown nails, a permanent matrixectomy offers a lasting solution. After numbing the toe, the offending nail border — and the underlying nail matrix (the tissue responsible for nail growth) — is removed using a chemical agent or excision. This prevents that portion of the nail from ever regrowing.
The result is a slightly narrower nail that looks natural in most cases. This procedure is highly effective, with recurrence rates well under 5%, and is performed right in our office. Most patients experience minimal downtime and significant long-term improvement in comfort and quality of life.
Ingrown nails are very common! They occur when the skin digs into the skin around the nail. It can create pain, swelling, drainage and if left untreated they can become infected. They can occur for many reasons including injury, how the nail was trimmed, genetics or tight shoes putting pressure on the area around the toenail. If you do not have signs of infection and do not have decreased blood flow or neuropathy, you may be able to treat this at home with soaking in Epsom salts, modifying shoe gear to decrease pressure. It is important not to take on “bathroom surgery.” More often than not, it actually makes the ingrown nail worse and increases infection risk. If your home treatment is not helping within a week or if you are noticing worsening redness, drainage, and pain-let the experts help you feel resolve this pesky ingrown nail!
Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390 or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!
Schedule your consultation today to discover how we can help alleviate your fat pad atrophy symptoms and get you back to the activities you love.
Call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ames at (515) 444-2390 or email info@fas-ames.com to make an appointment!
