After Toe Nail Surgery: Care Instructions
Nail Surgery 1 Week Post Op
After Surgery:
Saline foot bath:
see salt water soaks
Make sure the correct measurements of salt and water are used and soak the affected area for 10 mins.
Discard water when finished
Repeat saline foot baths 1-2 times per day until there is no coloured exudate on removed dressings.
Dressings
Nail Reviews:
appointments to review your nail are required at 1,2 & 6 weeks post op. These appointments are important for your podiatrist to clean the wound edges well to assist with the healing process and to make sure the wound is draining well and is infection free. It is also a really good time for them to go over how to dress the wound again and make sure that all questions you may have are answered and that your toe is progressing well.
Any Concerns:
Please contact our clinic if you are concerned with the wound and its healing process including if you have any intense pain that increases over time, or signs of infection (ie red, hot, swollen or if pus is present).
Related articles
- Ingrown toenails
- Salt water soaks for wounds and Ingrown toenails
- Nail surgery
- Podiatry
- Put your feet up to rest for the rest of the day where possible to decrease the swelling in your foot.
- Use pain relief such as Panadol or Neurofen (ibuprofen) as required in consultation with your pharmacist.
- Avoid trauma such as any knocks bumps or too much pressure to the area.
- Keep wound bandage clean and dry for 3-5 days. If closed in shoes are required within this time please advise your podiatrist as you may be able to remove the out most layers of bandaging (keeping the important inner layers untouched) and recover with a thinner dressing.
Saline foot bath:
see salt water soaks
Make sure the correct measurements of salt and water are used and soak the affected area for 10 mins.
Discard water when finished
Repeat saline foot baths 1-2 times per day until there is no coloured exudate on removed dressings.
Dressings
- Dressing should be applied every second day after a foot bath or as needed
- Apply Betadine, Medihoney or similar as instructed by your podiatrist with a clean cotton tip probe.
- Apply cutiplast/primapore or similar dressing and keep dry
- Keep the area dressed and clean at all times until the wound stops weeping or is completely healed (this may take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks)
Nail Reviews:
appointments to review your nail are required at 1,2 & 6 weeks post op. These appointments are important for your podiatrist to clean the wound edges well to assist with the healing process and to make sure the wound is draining well and is infection free. It is also a really good time for them to go over how to dress the wound again and make sure that all questions you may have are answered and that your toe is progressing well.
Any Concerns:
Please contact our clinic if you are concerned with the wound and its healing process including if you have any intense pain that increases over time, or signs of infection (ie red, hot, swollen or if pus is present).
Related articles
- Ingrown toenails
- Salt water soaks for wounds and Ingrown toenails
- Nail surgery
- Podiatry
