If you’ve been told you need ingrown toenail surgery, it’s completely normal to feel nervous. For most people, the worry comes from not knowing what to expect, rather than the surgery itself.
Ingrown toenail surgery is a minor procedure, carried out under local anaesthetic at our Longridge and Broughton clinics near Preston, and we never rush it. Here, our podiatrists walk you through exactly what happens, from your first appointment to the day we’re happy your toe has healed.
Do you need surgery for an ingrown toenail?
Not always, and surgery isn’t our first choice. If we think we can manage and resolve your ingrown toenail without surgery, we will. That’s true for adults and children alike.
We usually only suggest surgery when the nail keeps growing back into the skin, keeps getting infected, or other treatment hasn’t worked. You don’t need a GP referral to see us. You can read about all our options on our ingrown toenail treatment page. You can also read more about what causes ingrown toenails. If you’re sporty, our blog on Serious Athlete why athletes ignore ingrown toenails is worth a read too.
Your pre-op appointment: agreeing the plan together
Before any surgery, you’ll have a pre-op appointment. This is where we look at your toe, explain your options in full and agree a treatment plan together. Nothing is decided without you.
Depending on your nail, ingrown toenail removal might mean we:
- remove a narrow strip down one side of the nail (this is called a partial nail avulsion)
- remove a strip down both sides at the same time, leaving the middle of the nail in place
- remove the whole nail (a total nail avulsion)
If we don’t want that part of the nail to grow back, we always apply a chemical called phenol, which stops it regrowing. Sometimes we do want the nail to grow back, for example if it’s damaged or full of infection, such as a severe fungal nail infection. In that case, we remove it without phenol and give you any other treatment you need. We can carry out nail surgery on any toe.
We’ll also check your health, medicines and allergies, so do tell us if you have diabetes or circulation problems, or take blood thinners.
Before the day
- Eat as normal and take your usual medicines, unless we’ve told you otherwise.
- Wear or bring a roomy shoe or open sandal, as the dressing is thick.
- Arrange a lift home. You can’t drive until the local anaesthetic has worn off, which takes at least three hours.
- Plan to have the rest of the day off work or school, so you can go home and put your foot up.
What happens on the day, step by step
Two HCPC-registered podiatrists are with you for the surgery itself: one carries out the procedure and the other assists. We book a full hour for your appointment, so there’s plenty of time and no rushing. The procedure itself doesn’t normally take longer than 30 minutes.
- When you arrive, we’ll offer you a drink.
- In the treatment room, we go through the procedure with you again. It will already have been explained in full at your pre-op appointment, and we confirm it with you before we start.
- You get comfortable. You can lie back or sit up, and we can give you a pillow.
- We always use local anaesthetic. You’ll have two small injections at the base of your toe, which sting for a moment. After a few minutes, your toe will be numb.
- Your podiatrist checks you’re happy to begin.
- We remove the section of nail agreed at your pre-op appointment, and apply phenol if we don’t want it to grow back.
- Your toe is covered with a thick, protective dressing.
- We give you your aftercare advice and a waterproof sleeve for showering, and book your first re-dressing appointment for the next day.
Making it as relaxed as possible
We know nail surgery can feel daunting, so we do everything we can to help you relax.
- Bring your own music, or a series to watch on your phone: whatever helps you feel comfortable.
- Our assistant podiatrist is there to chat with you and take your mind off things.
- A friend or relative can come into the room with you if you’d like. We suggest coming in on your own if you feel comfortable doing so, but it’s completely your choice.
Does ingrown toenail surgery hurt?
Most people find it much easier than they expected. The injections sting briefly, but once your toe is numb you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure, just some pressure or movement. When the anaesthetic wears off a few hours later, your toe may throb or ache for a day or two. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol usually help.
The first day and the day after
On the day of your surgery, go home and rest with your foot up. The dressing is quite bulky anyway, so this isn’t a day for work or school.
The next day, you’ll come back to see us. We’ll check your toe, re-dress it, and give you a bag of dressings so you can re-dress it yourself every day between appointments. We’ll show you exactly how.
If you’re worried at any point, for example about more pain, swelling, redness or bleeding through the dressing, call the clinic. Out of hours, contact NHS 111.
Showering and keeping it dry
Keep the surgical site dry until it has fully healed. We’ll give you a waterproof sleeve to wear on your leg in the shower, so you can still wash as normal.
Recovery: how long does it take to heal?
Most toes heal in around four to six weeks, although it can take longer. Your general health, your footwear and how closely you follow the aftercare all make a difference.
Your re-dressing appointments are included in the price, with no limit. We’ll keep seeing you until your toe has healed, and we never discharge anyone until we’re happy it has.
Please avoid swimming until your toe has fully healed. Most people can get back to sport after about two to four weeks, but it depends on how your toe is healing, so we’ll guide you at your re-dressing appointments.
Will the nail grow back?
Where we use phenol, the treatment is very effective: studies show it works in more than 95% of cases. Occasionally, the nail can still grow back. If that happens and you’ve followed all the aftercare advice, we’ll offer to redo the surgery free of charge.
If we’ve chosen not to use phenol because we want a healthier nail to grow, it will grow back gradually over the following months.
Nail surgery for children and teenagers
Wherever possible, we avoid nail surgery for children and manage the problem in other ways first. There’s no set age at which we’ll do it. We only go ahead if the child understands the procedure and is happy to have it, and their parents are happy too. We always check, and if a child becomes upset during the appointment, we stop. You can read more on our page about ingrown toenails in children.
What our patients say
“…very professional and exceptionally skilled at the procedure. Apart from initial anaesthetic never felt a thing…”
– Google review, Longridge clinic
“Very friendly service provided and giving confidence in high level skills to conduct surgical procedures, ( in this case toenail removal), whilst providing a calm environment. Full advice provided for after surgery care and overall very efficient.”
– Google review, Longridge clinic
“…the care was friendly but professional, neat and they made me at ease… I have had a challenging healing and they are always on top of it.”
– Google review, Broughton clinic
Frequently asked questions
Does ingrown toenail surgery hurt?
The local anaesthetic injections sting briefly, but after that you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure, just pressure. Your toe may throb for a day or two afterwards, and paracetamol usually helps.
How long does ingrown toenail surgery take?
We book a full hour, so we never need to rush. The procedure itself doesn’t normally take longer than 30 minutes.
Can I drive after ingrown toenail surgery?
No. You can’t drive until the local anaesthetic has worn off, which takes at least three hours, so please arrange a lift home.
Can I walk straight afterwards?
Yes, you can walk out of the clinic. Bring a roomy shoe or sandal for the thick dressing, and rest with your foot up for the rest of the day.
Can I go back to work or school the same day?
We recommend not. We’d like you to go home and rest with your foot up on the day of your surgery.
Can I shower?
Yes. We’ll give you a waterproof sleeve, so the surgical site stays dry until it has fully healed.
When can I swim or do sport again?
Please avoid swimming until your toe has fully healed. Sport is usually fine after about two to four weeks, depending on how your toe is healing. We’ll let you know at your re-dressing appointments.
How long does it take to heal?
Usually around four to six weeks, sometimes longer. We’ll see you for re-dressings, as many times as you need, until it has healed.
Will the nail grow back?
Where we use phenol, it rarely does: studies show success in more than 95% of cases. If it does grow back and you’ve followed the aftercare advice, we’ll offer to redo the surgery free of charge.
Can someone come in with me?
Yes, a friend or relative can come into the room with you if you’d like. It’s completely your choice.
Can you do nail surgery on any toe?
Yes, we can carry out nail surgery on any toe.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with us at our Longridge or Broughton clinic.
How much does ingrown toenail surgery cost?
Ingrown toenail surgery at The Foot Room is from £450. This includes your pre- and post-operative care, your dressings, and all your re-dressing appointments until you’ve healed. Price list: See our prices.
Can children and teenagers have nail surgery?
Sometimes. We try other treatment first, and only go ahead if the child understands the procedure and is happy to have it, and their parents are happy too.
Ready to sort out your ingrown toenail?
If an ingrown toenail is getting you down, book an assessment at our Longridge or Broughton clinic. We’ll look at all your options, and only suggest surgery if it’s the right choice for you.
Ingrown toenail surgery at The Foot Room is from £450, including all your re-dressing appointments until you’ve healed, with two HCPC-registered podiatrists present for every nail surgery procedure.
Written by The Foot Room team. Reviewed by Sarah Carroll, HCPC-registered podiatrist, October 2026.
