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July 16, 2026
If you've experienced foot pain for some time or have a trauma injury, surgery has likely come to mind.
Surgery is a treatment of injuries or disorders of the body by incision or manipulation. Surgery is quite common for foot injuries and is done as a restorative measure.
Because of its invasive nature, considering the positives and negatives of surgery is important. You should not only weigh the direct impact of surgery but also the long-term effects.
There are several factors to consider when deciding on foot surgery:
Necessity
Success rate
Cost
Recovery time
Long-term effectiveness
With these in mind, you should take into account the positives and negatives of both. Does the recovery time justify getting surgery, for example? How about the long-term effectiveness of the surgery?
Below, we get into the case for, and against, foot surgery.
When is Foot Surgery Necessary?
Some foot conditions require surgery. You should explore all non-surgical options and physical therapy before foot surgery.
Certain foot conditions are progressive and are unlikely to get better without surgery. In these instances, one can consider surgery to improve their quality of life. A few examples of progressive foot conditions include severe bunions, rigid hammertoes, advanced arthritis (hallux rigidus). However, long before surgery is even considered, there are several conservative treatments that can slow down the progress and relieve pain.
That doesn't mean you can't live comfortably with the condition. Investing in proper shoes, doing physical therapy, and avoiding certain activities may relieve pain.
In the instance of hallux rigidus, you can maintain a high quality of life through physical therapy, proper orthotics, avoiding high-impact exercise, and working on flexibility. It's important to work on maintaining the range of motion in the toe. You can't get back more flexibility, but you can work to maintain the flexibility that you have. The bone spur will only continue to grow over time if excessive force or impact is placed upon the joint. However, since the osteoarthritis that breaks down the cartilage won't be able to recover, the resulting bone spur will likely grow over time, further limiting the range of motion.
Some people opt for a cheilectomy, which is an incision along the top of the toe to shave down a Bone Spur. In other cases, people opt for a fusion, which connects the first metatarsal with the phalanx. The connecting of the two bones fuses the area of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP joints).
For those with a bunion, you'll want to explore all non-invasive measures before deciding on surgery. If you have explored all options, surgery may be an option. Typically, those who experience significant pain, have severe toe deformities, and have chronic inflammation are the likely candidates for surgery. Bunion surgery (of which there are a few) can include several correct measures:
Realigning the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of the big toe.
Pain relief.
Correcting the deformity of the bones, especially if your big toe is drifting inwards towards your second metatarsal.
Another example is rigid hammertoes. When the toes start to drift, grip or claw because of excessive misalignment of the big toe (bunion) or the entire foot itself (flat feet). It is always imperative to start with conservative treatment options such as silicone toe crutches, orthotics, metatarsal pads, and wearing the proper sized shoes width and length. If pain persists and the hammer toes progress and further deviate, then surgery is recommended. For flexible hammertoes, the most common surgery is Tendon lengthening which releases the pull under the toe. For more rigid hammertoes, joint resection is recommended, which is the removal of the end of the bone to allow for more range of motion. If the joints have too much arthritis, joint fusion is recommended to fuse the bones together and create a straight toe.
When is Foot Surgery Not Necessary?
Generally, you can treat foot conditions without operational procedures. The body is incredibly resilient when it comes to injuries, and many foot conditions can be treated with a proper plan.
Surgery is usually seen as a last resort because there is significant rest needed afterwards, the occasional complication, and sometimes nerve damage. Surgery can also be expensive if it's not covered under provincial or private insurance. Finally, surgery might fix the obvious problem, but may not solve the underlying issue. This means that the foot condition may return in the future.
For the examples mentioned above - hallux rigidus, bunions, and hammertoes - all have recommended treatment options that don't involve surgery. Working with a foot professional to determine the underlying cause, like a muscle imbalance, for example, can help treat the resulting condition, and can be better for your body in the long run. This can be done through a foot assessment by a chiropodist, complete with a biomechanical and gait analysis.
Surgery also can take weeks, if not months to recover from. Make sure to incorporate several weeks of recovery into the discussion when considering foot surgery. Recovery time may otherwise be used to build a habit of incorporating physical therapy into your routine. Consider the opportunity cost of the severity of the surgery as well as the recovery time.
For most foot conditions, there are a number of treatment options you should consider including:
Rest
Icing/compression
Strength-training
Custom orthotics
Proper footwear
Physiotherapy
Over-the-counter footwear products like Bunion Aligners
Any number of these treatment options may be able to provide the relief you need. Remember, you might not see results right away. In some cases, incorporating these treatments may take weeks, if not months, to result in meaningful change. However, those habits will continue to benefit you for the rest of your life.
There's no hard and fast rule for in cases for and against surgery. Always consult a medical professional when deciding upon the best course of action, and see if foot surgery is recommended.
June 18, 2026
Your legs are involved in every aspect of movement. They're the foundation of your body, and act as shock absorbers. Our reliance on our legs cannot be overstated. It's crucial we take proper leg and foot pain management to avoid common foot conditions.
Overwhelmingly, there are some common foot conditions that are more prevalent than others. These are either injuries or conditions that a large portion of the population experiences once, or repeatedly. To put you on the right track, we've rounded up 10 common foot conditions. Note that these are listed in no particular order.
1. Bunions
A bunion is perhaps the widest known foot condition. A bunion is an enlargement on the outside of the big toe. The enlargement can be a bony outgrowth, or a shift in your big toe. Often the base of the metatarsal shifts outwards (meaning your toe points inwards), and a bunion results because of the deformity.
You may develop bunions through any of the following reasons:
Your foot is shaped in a way that makes you more likely to have bunions
Your foot rolls overly inwards when you walk
Flat feet
Tight footwear
Fortunately, a physical therapy regimen, over-the-counter products, and proper footwear enables you to live with bunions without surgery.
2. Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a contagious fungal skin infection that affects the skin on soles of feet and between toes. The fungi that causes athlete's foot is commonly found in moist places, like shared showers and locker rooms.
Athlete’s foot typically presents as a translucent white moist skin between the toes on one or both feet. To treat the condition, you can use over-the-counter products including medicated creams, ointments, sprays, and powders. If over-the-counter products don't work, then you will need prescription anti-fungal creams and sprays. The sooner you start treatment, the better the outcome, so it's important to be vigilant and seek treatment at the first signs of infection before it spreads.
3. Ingrown Toenails
An Ingrown Toenail occurs when the nail begins to grow into the skin. In mild cases, you may be able to treat ingrown toenails yourself. However, this can also make the ingrown toenail worse. Unless your ingrown toenail is in the early mild stages, it's usually best to consult a chiropodist for treatment.
Typically, wearing tight shoes, cutting your nails too short, or not across, and injuring your toenail can cause an ingrown toenail. Home remedies include soaking your feet in warm water, wearing proper footwear, taking anti-inflammatories, and placing dental floss under the edge of the toenail.
If the ingrown toenail is serious, surgery is performed. The surgery consists of numbing the toe with a local anaesthetic, then removing either one side of the whole toenail down to the matrix, and finally, applying a chemical to the nail root to prevent regrowth. Fortunately, a chiropodist can treat most ingrown toenails non-surgically simply by removing the ingrown portion of the toenail and then trimming and filing the toenails to encourage healthy nail growth.
4. Black Toenails
Black toenails may be rare to the majority of the population, but are common among runners. The repeated nature of running puts your toenails at risk due to impact and friction. Typically, black toenails result from a blister and bleeding underneath the toenail. The most common cause is tight footwear, and from undulating terrain as downhill running adds pressure on your toes.
You might also get a black toenail because of trauma to the toe. Occasionally, a black toenail will fall off.
Here's everything you need to know about black toenails including treatment and prevention.
5. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can be a real pain...in the heel.
This foot condition involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects your heel with your toes - the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis can cause sharp pain in the heel, especially in the morning.
Runners are especially prone to plantar fasciitis because of the repeated stress to the plantar fascia. Common treatment and preventative measures include self-massage with a golf ball, anti-inflammatories, and if necessary, custom orthotics.
6. Nail Fungus
The toes are particularly susceptible to nail fungus because fungi thrive in dark, moist places. Since many of us wear shoes for hours every day, one can understand how nail fungus comes about.
Common symptoms of nail fungus include yellowing and thickening of the toenail, brittleness, and sometimes an unpleasant odour. For early or mild cases of nail fungus, you can use a topical antifungal cream. Over-the-counter solutions do not typically work for toenail fungus as the nail blocks medication from penetrating the nailbed. Therefore, it's recommended to see a chiropodist for treatment at the first sight of symptoms.
To prevent nail fungus, wash and dry your feet regularly, don't share nail clippers, avoid being barefoot in public facilities, and keep your toenails short, but not too short.
7. Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are bony outgrowths, typically in areas prone to osteoarthritis. The most common forms of bone spurs in the foot include heel spurs, and a bone spur on top of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTJ). The latter is a common spot. Stiffness and arthritis in the big toe leads to a condition known as hallux rigidus.
Bone spurs inherently reduce flexibility and can be quite painful. With treatment including proper footwear, people can live normally with bone spurs without needing surgery. You should note that bone spurs are progressive meaning there's no reversal of impact and damage done.
8. Corns
Corns are like calluses, except that corns can be painful. A corn is an area of hardened skin that develops on areas of the feet that sustain too much compression.
A corn has a few hot spots: between your toes, the outer edge of your little toe, and on top of the toes.
Corns are removable. A chiropodist can safely remove the build-up of hardened skin and assess whether Orthopedic Shoes or Custom Orthotics may be indicated to prevent their recurrence. In severe cases, recurring corns can also be surgically removed by biopsy punch.
9. Blisters
Blisters are more of an annoyance than anything. This minor foot condition occurs when the skin is aggravated. Because of this friction, a small fluid-filled bubble on the skin forms.
Fortunately, most blisters heal on their own. To ensure there are no complications, you can cover the blister with an adhesive bandage or blister pad. Common tricks to avoid blisters include using baby powder for sweaty feet, proper moisture-wicking socks, and wearing shoes that fit.
10. Gout
Gout affects roughly 3 million Canadians each year.
This condition is a form of arthritis that can develop rapidly. The painful condition involves swelling and tenderness of joints. Gout is most common at the base of the big toe.
According to the Mayo Clinic, "gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood." Foods that can lead to high levels of urate are red meats, seafood, refined or processed carbohydrates, sugary drinks and alcohol such as beer and hard liquor.
June 4, 2026
Our legs are a complex and intricate system of bones, joints, and muscles. Everything is interconnected in some way.
Muscles and joints rely on each other to perform properly, and to provide the necessary foundation for our body. Our habits, genetics, and environment all affect our feet. With so many different possibilities for foot conditions to arise, it's important to remember that correlation is not causation.
Just because we do one thing, does not necessarily mean it causes another. To help clear the air over a sample of common foot myths, we decided to debunk a few of them below.
1. Flat feet are bad
About 30% of the population lives with flat feet.
Flat feet are defined as a postural deformity in which the arches of the foot collapse. As a result, the entire foot makes contact with the ground. The foot is characterized by a very low arch, and can other foot conditions because of the leg's compensation.
Flat feet can develop in one foot, or both, depending on your body's development.
According to Harvard Medical School, even in adulthood, 15% to 25% of people have flexible flatfeet. Most of these people never develop symptoms. For those with what's called rigid flat feet, several measures can be taken to reduce pain and live comfortably with flat feet. These include:
Custom orthotics that artificially raise the arch and provide support
Strengthen and stretch your calf as this reduces the pressure and load on your arches
Supplement some high-impact exercise with low-impact activities like swimming, cycling, or spinning
Wearing slippers or supportive footwear inside instead of walking around barefoot
Proper fitting footwear with motion control and stability
Foot strengthening and exercises
2. Wearing heels causes all of women's foot problems
Additionally, a common misconception is that high heels cause bunions. This isn't true. Heels aggravate bunions but are likely not the cause.
However, excessive heel usage can result in a few common foot conditions: Corns, Hammertoe, Calluses and Haglund's deformities (called the "pump bump"). Additionally, you're at a greater risk of osteoarthritis since you may lose fat under your foot.
According to WebMD, you can prevent certain foot conditions while continuing to wear heels. Some of these preventative measures include:
Get the well-fitted high heel
Use silicone metatarsal pads for under your feet
Wear a thicker heel for stability
Pay attention to the "slope" or "pitch" of the heel
Wear open-toe high heels to relieve pressure on corns and calluses
Wear heels that are no more than 2" high
3. A bunion is just a bump
A bunion may look like just a bump. However, that's another in the list of foot myths. If only it were that simple...
Depending on the cause, your habits may worsen the condition. Maybe you wear shoes with a narrow toebox. Without correction, bunions can get a lot worse over time, turning just a bump into severe pain.
A Bunion, or hallux valgus, is a bony protrusion that forms at the site of the large joint that connects your big toe to your foot. As you can expect, without addressing the cause of bunions, the toe angle's alignment can sharpen, causing a larger bump.
It should be noted that bunions can be hereditary, in which case you might be doing everything right. Hereditary bunions are linked to inheriting foot structures such as flat feet or faulty bone mechanics rather than inheriting the bunion structure itself. Inherited conditions such as hypermobility or shortened Achilles tendons can largely increase the risk of developing a bunion. In this instance, continue to practice proper foot habits like:
Footwear modification, i.e., avoiding tight shoes with a narrow or stiff toe box.
Anti-inflammatory medications
Bunion splints
Bunion aligner
Therapeutic taping
Supportive insoles or custom orthotics
Anti-inflammatory gels (but not NSAID oral medication)
You should consult a foot specialist to see whether or not action needs to be taken.
4. Foot pain is the result of getting old
Reword the first paragraph: Foot conditions, such as osteoarthritis, are common as we age. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage and changes in the bone structure causing joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
However, osteoarthritis can occur at any age. Individuals who train or play high level or high impact sports may experience osteoarthritis even as early as their 20s. The most common areas for osteoarthritis include the big toe joint, knees and hips.
Osteoarthritis is a progressive and degenerative disease meaning that the damage is irreversible. Physical therapy can aid in providing strength to the muscles surrounding the affected joint and can alleviate pain. Common treatments include functional stretches and movement exercises and managing symptoms with proper support or bracing.
5. Surgery will fix foot problems
Surgery can help fix certain foot conditions, but non-invasive options may work equally well, if not be more effective.
There are several factors to consider when deciding on foot surgery:
Necessity
Success rate
Cost
Recovery time
Long-term effectiveness
Certain progressive conditions like hallux rigidus, bunions, and a ruptured Achilles may require surgery to correct the inherent problem. However, physical therapy can also improve quality of life. Proper orthotics, avoiding high-impact exercise, proper footwear, and strengthening can help limit pain associated with certain foot conditions.
However, surgery removes the bone portion of the injury. For those with Hallux Rigidus, the Bone Spur contributes to the toe's stiffness. The range of motion won't improve without surgery. Although, the worsening of the condition can be slowed with physical therapy as mentioned above.
For those with a Bunion, you’ll want to explore All Non-Invasive Measures before deciding on surgery. If you have explored all options, surgery may be an option. Typically, those who experience significant pain, have severe toe deformities, and have chronic inflammation are the likely candidates for surgery. Bunion surgery (of which there are a few) can include several correct measures:
Realigning the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of the big toe.
Pain relief.
Correcting the deformity of the bones, especially if your big toe is drifting inwards towards your second metatarsal.
If you're unsure about foot conditions, toenail conditions, or skin conditions, contact us at Feet First Clinic to set up an appointment. You can do that below, or by Contacting Us Here!
April 9, 2026
There are several reasons why your toe may be painful. The important thing to do is not ignore it, especially if the pain is accompanied with redness and swelling. Keep reading to find out what your next steps should be to find out the culprit to your pain.
1. Ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail is when the sides of your toenail grow into the surrounding skin. Once the nail pierces the skin, your body reacts by creating an inflammatory response to this, which leads to redness, swelling, warmth, and pain in the area. The longer the toe is left in this condition, the higher the risk of infection. How can you tell if you have an infection? The signs of an infection are somewhat similar to those of the body’s natural inflammatory response to a cut or wound, but greater in a sense. For instance, an infected ingrown toenail will increase in redness, swelling, pain, and warmth in addition to being accompanied by any of the following: a foul odor, maceration (moisture), pus (cloudy, creamy liquid), blood.
If you have an ingrown toenail, it is best to see a chiropodist for treatment - especially if it's showing signs of infection. A chiropodist can remove the ingrown portion of the toenail, prescribe antibiotics, and properly trim and file the toenails to ensure they grow back healthy. To find out more about ingrown toenails, such as what causes them and how they can be managed, click the link here.
2. Paronychia
Paronychia is the medical term to describe an infection of the hand or the foot at the location where the skin meets the nail, either on the sides of the nail or along its base. This infection can be bacterial or fungal in nature and is usually the result of damage to the skin (via biting or picking or any other physical trauma). Excessive and chronic moisture can also make the skin more vulnerable to these infections.
Similar to an ingrown toenail, paronychia will also present as a red, swollen, warm, and tender digit. If you have a red, swollen, painful toe, regardless of the cause, book an appointment with a chiropodist at the first signs! They'll be able to properly diagnose and treat the condition.
3. Tinea Pedis
Although Tinea pedis also known as Athlete’s Foot, usually presents as itchy, dry, and flaky skin on the bottom of the foot, it can also be localized between the digits or along the sides of a single or multiple digit(s). Sometimes, Tinea Pedis features a cluster of small red vesicles along a digit and may spread to adjacent digits. When left untreated, the toe may become red, swollen, and tender to the touch. The infection can also spread under the toenail. When this happens, treatment can become very difficult and take a long time to resolve.
Fungal infections can spread very quickly, and the earlier you start treatment, the easier it is to treat. Therefore it's best to be proactive and see a professional at the first signs of infection. Treatment includes a topical prescription antifungal medication and debriding the areas of fungal growth. Fungal infections most often cannot be treated without professional intervention, and over-the-counter treatments rarely work.
4. Onychophosis
Onychophosis is a buildup of callus that forms between the nail and the surrounding skin (sulcus). It can become irritated and mimic the discomfort of an ingrown nail due to pressure, but it’s not a true ingrown nail—the nail itself remains healthy and does not grow into the skin.
5. Reynaud's Disease
This condition causes toes to turn stark white and then bright red, often after moving from a cold environment to a warm one. While usually asymptomatic, it can cause numbness, tingling, and alarm due to the dramatic color changes. It’s a vasospastic response, where the blood vessels temporarily spasm and restrict proper blood flow.
6. Chilblains
These are small, painful, or itchy bumps that develop on the toes after exposure to extreme cold followed by rapid warming. They are usually harmless and tend to resolve on their own within a few weeks.
All the above conditions require medical attention. In the meantime, as you wait for your appointment, try soaking your feet in an Epsom salt water bath for 10-15 minutes a day. Use half a cup of Epsom salts to a gallon of lukewarm water - not hot as hot water will cause more swelling.
When you’re not soaking your feet, practice good hygiene and keep your feet clean and dry. Wear a new pair of clean socks everyday and let your feet breathe at home. Most microorganisms thrive in moist, dark environments.
February 5, 2026
If you are like most people, you want your feet to stay healthy and pain free. However, even with the best intentions, many people unknowingly develop habits that can damage their feet over time.
From improper nail trimming to walking barefoot in public spaces, foot care mistakes are more common than you might think. The good news is that most of these issues can be prevented with proper education and routine care.
Below, our team of experienced chiropodists at Feet First Clinic outlines the top five most common foot care mistakes and how to avoid them. We specialize in preventive foot care and the treatment of both common and complex conditions, offering services such as routine care, assessments, and custom orthotics.
1. Cutting Your Toenails Incorrectly
Toenail trimming may seem simple, but doing it improperly can lead to painful ingrown toenails and infections. Cutting nails too short, rounding the edges, or cutting into the cuticle increases the risk of the nail growing into the surrounding skin.
To reduce this risk, soften your nails by soaking them in warm water before trimming. Always cut straight across and avoid cutting too close to the skin. If you develop a painful or infected ingrown toenail, it is important to seek professional care promptly.
Another common mistake when it comes to ingrown toenails: trying to treat them yourself or at a salon. Some of the worst ingrown toenails we've seen at the clinic are due to botched DIY attempts. If your toenail is ingrown, especially if it's irritated, it's recommended that you book an appointment immediately with a chiropodist; they're trained to treat ingrown toenails properly and prevent them from getting worse. A chiropodist will also trim your toenails so that they grow back properly and straight.
2. Walking Barefoot in Damp Areas
Many people walk barefoot in public locker rooms and showers. Although this may not seem like a huge issue to some people, doing this can seriously harm your feet. It's recommended to wear some sort of protective footwear while you’re walking in moist areas.
Some examples of reliable footwear include:
Sandals
Flip-flops (just for those public spaces)
Water shoes
Shower shoes
Doing this is important for preventing issues like toenail fungus. This will cause your nails to become yellow, thick and foul-smelling; they may even fall off! Men tend to have a higher chance of developing foot fungus, along with elderly people and individuals that suffer from athlete’s foot. Once fungus gets underneath the toenail, it becomes very difficult to treat; at-home treatment is typically ineffective. This is because the toenail blocks anti-fungal medication from penetrating and reaching the fungus. That's why it's important to see a chiropodist at the first sign of toenail fungus. They can debride the toenail to make it easier for anti-fungal medication to penetrate to the fungus living in the nailbed.
Walking barefoot in public places can also cause warts. Warts are a contagious virus that spreads when bare skin comes into contact with an infected surface. The wart-causing virus especially thrives in warm, damp places, like locker room floors and the puddles on pool decks. Left untreated, warts can multiply and spread to other people. Sometimes you can treat warts in the early stages with over-the-counter treatments. However, if those are ineffective, it's recommended to see a chiropodist to eradicate your warts once and for all. Unlike family doctors and dermatologists, chiropodists can debride the dead skin and callus that forms over the wart, which helps the treatment penetrate through the wart tissue and treat the warts faster.
3. Ignoring Early Signs of Foot Problems
Many people dismiss early symptoms such as redness, thickened nails, calluses, or mild discomfort. Unfortunately, delaying treatment often allows minor issues to develop into more serious foot conditions.
Addressing concerns early can prevent pain, reduce complications, and keep your feet healthy long term.
4. Wearing Poorly Fitting Footwear
Did you know that between 63% to 72% of the population are wearing shoes that don't fit correctly? Shoes that are too tight, too loose, or lacking proper support can contribute to problems such as blisters, corns, bunions, and heel pain. While style may be important, proper fit and support should always be the priority.
Well fitted footwear helps support proper foot function and reduces strain on the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back. It's also important to make sure your shoes accommodate your foot type and gait pattern. If you don't know your foot type, you can get a biomechanical assessment with a chiropodist to find out.
5. Skipping Preventive Foot Care
Many people only think about foot care when pain develops. Regular foot assessments, proper hygiene, and preventive treatment are essential for maintaining healthy feet, especially for individuals with diabetes or circulation concerns.
Routine visits to a chiropodist can help identify potential problems early and keep your feet comfortable and functional. Something as simple as a medical pedicure can go a long way.
September 18, 2025
Toenail health is an important part of overall foot care, yet conditions like involuted toenails often go unnoticed until discomfort arises. If you’ve noticed your toenails curling inward or becoming unusually curved, you might be dealing with an involuted toenail. Understanding this condition can help you manage symptoms and seek proper treatment before complications occur.
What Are Involuted Toenails?
Involuted toenails, also called curved or pincer nails, occur when the edges of the toenail curl inward toward the skin. This excessive curvature can cause the nail to pinch the nail bed and surrounding skin, leading to discomfort or pain. It also makes them prone to becoming ingrown.
Causes of Involuted Toenails
Several factors can contribute to the development of involuted toenails, including:
Genetics: Some people inherit a tendency toward curved toenails.
Improper Footwear: Tight, narrow shoes can exert pressure on the nails, encouraging them to curl.
Injury: Trauma to the toe can alter nail growth patterns.
Fungal Infections: Nail infections may cause thickening and distortion of the nail plate.
Aging: Toenail shape and growth can change with age.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain diseases like psoriasis or circulatory problems may affect nail health.
Symptoms to Watch For
Toenails that curve sharply inward, sometimes forming a tube shape.
Discomfort or pain along the sides of the toenail.
Redness, swelling, or signs of infection around the nail edges.
Difficulty trimming nails due to their shape.
Formation of calluses or corns near the nail edges.
Treatment Options for Involuted Toenails
Conservative Care
Proper Footwear: Choose shoes with wide toe boxes to reduce pressure.
Regular Nail Care: Careful trimming and filing can help manage nail shape.
Moisturizing: Keeping nails and surrounding skin hydrated may reduce brittleness.
Padding: Using protective pads can cushion the nail and reduce irritation.
Medical and Professional Treatments
Nail Bracing or OnyFix: Special braces can gently correct nail curvature over time.
Debridement: A podiatrist can carefully trim thickened or curved nails.
Treatment of Infections: Antifungal medications if infection is present.
Surgical Options: In severe cases, part or all of the nail may be removed to relieve pain and prevent recurrence.
When to See a Foot Specialist
If you experience persistent pain, signs of infection, or difficulty managing your involuted toenails, it’s important to consult a foot care professional. Early intervention can prevent complications such as ingrown nails or infections.
You should also see a specialist if you find you're having difficulty trimming your toenails; curved toenails are notoriously difficult to trim.
