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Ingrown Toenail, Sports Medicine

Rodney S. Gonzalez, MD, FAAFP Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Onychocryptosis is commonly called ingrown toenail and most commonly affects the great toe.

  • Puncturing of the periungual skin by the nail plate; this leads to a foreign body (the nail...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Ask about tight-fitting shoes: Small toe boxes predispose to onychocryptosis.

  • Signs of infection: erythema, edema, and pain

  • Ask about recurrence and previous treatment: may affect treat...

TREATMENT

  • Long-term treatment

  • Acute treatment

  • Analgesia 1[C]:

    • Depends on planned treatment option and patient discomfort level

    • Recommend performing local anesthesia or a digital block with 1–2% lidocaine ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Immunocompromised individuals with a severe infection may require hospitalization for administration of IV antibiotics. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Properly fitting footwear

  • ...

REFERENCES

1
Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee H. Management of the ingrown toenail. Am Fam Physician.  2009;79(4):303–308.
2
Park DH, Singh D. The management of ingrowing toenails. BMJ.  2012;344:e2089.
3
Ari...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Antibiotics have not been shown to change the healing from ingrown toenails when using surgical treatment options.

  • Impact activities should be avoided until the patient is pain free and...

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