toenail removal?

Joined
Oct 12, 2013
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1,148
Now i've got a big toenail that i have buggered a few times and now it grows in all distorted, boots put pressure on it and that is not good.
Anyone ever just hear of having one surgically removed to eliminate a problem like that?
 

Poser

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Dec 27, 2013
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Durango CO
I have a toenail on my left foot that’s been giving me problems for the last year or so causing the toe to swell a bit which further compounds the problems when wearing mountain bike shoes, snowboard boots and downhilling in hiking boots.

My doctor said he would remove it if I wanted it removed. They give you a local and then Cut it out, but I’m hesitant this close to hunting season.
 

bobr1

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Dec 11, 2017
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It will grow back. They tend to do it pretty often with people that have serious hangnail issues and get infections. I guess the theory is to try to let it regrow properly so the nail doesn't interfere with the soft tissue. But timing wise, I would do it during an off season when you can let it regrow over the nail bed and not cause any damage to it while it is regrowing to the end of the toe.
 
OP
B
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actually just watched a utube vid on it, pulls out nail , soaks the bed with acid, nutralizes that with alcohol, wraps it up,scabs over ,end of problem.
 

muddydogs

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Utah
They can remove them so they never grow back but it takes some time to heal and toughen up the bed under the nail, until the nail bed heals its supposed to be a bit uncomfortable especially in boots and hiking around.
 

Chesapeake

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Apr 15, 2012
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Its pretty amazing how easy they come off. They just inject a local and then peal it right off with pliers (forceps). It hurts for a few days, but the flesh under the nail hardens up pretty quick and then the nail will grow back out over the next few months.

I wouldn't suggest the acid treatment. I had that done to the side of one of my big toe nails and ever since that side grow in funky and collects gunk.

I'd think 2 weeks before a hunt would be plenty, but everyone is different.
 

manitou1

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Years ago I had three removed... permanantly. Could barely walk for a week. Hurt like hel. They grew back. All for nought. 🤔
I have three that like to cup under on the edges and need constant maintenance. I may try the removal again with a specialist instead of M.D.
It would be worth it to me if the things would not grow back. I worry about getting older and it being difficult to keep them surgically trimmed.
 

hodgeman

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Delta Junction, AK
I crushed a toe as a teen and had a big toe nail that grew in crooked as a result...endless ingrown toenails. They removed the nail a number of times and eventually I had to have part of the nail bed surgically removed.

I would have it trimmed or cornered to treat it before a hunt...removing it takes some time to heal.
 
Joined
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North Carolina
I have had the same big toe nail pulled off 6 times for the same reason. It comes back each time although one doc said it wouldn't. It grows back all deformed and knotted up too. Goes back to a motor cycle injury where the toe was badly damaged. It hurts for a few days maybe a week after. I would always get it done about a month ahead of elk season so it would be healed and I would be ready.
 

isu22andy

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Sep 13, 2018
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IA
I consider myself to have a pretty strong stomach but this thread has made me wince a time or too . I just cut mine flat or a slight V and never had an issue . Guess I’m fortunate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

KJH

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May 10, 2016
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I used to put on a lot of miles on my feet, and always had issues with my little toenails. I had both of them removed, and the problem was solved for good. They don't really grow back, but there is a hard flap of skin (?) that looks like a toenail now but its not. I was fully healed in 2 weeks and could walk without a problem right away. I recommend doing it. What do you have to lose?
 
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May 22, 2014
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I had an ingrown toenail on a big toe multiple times, every time they just cut it out it would always grow funky and hurt like a b!tch. They finally removed that part of the toenail and cauterized it, no more issues. Thats been probably 12 years. Kinda sounds like the same deal with the OP. I dont remember being off my feet at all or any discomfort after having it removed.
 

Billinsd

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Aug 25, 2015
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I had bad fungus trouble and had both big toenails removed and killed, so they'd never grow back. I was so pleased I got all toenails removed and killed. That was about 9 years ago. No problems or tenderness with shoes or boots. Quite the contrary, no hard, fungus toenails rubbing and breaking in my boots. No regrets other, than I wish I'd done it sooner. One downside, is looks or comments from people, which I haven't gotten, but I'm a wee bit self conscious. Another issue is your toes are a bloody mess for about a week. My podiatrist did it all using my insurance. It is permanent, that's what my podiatrist reminded me, kill means.
 
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BTLowry

FNG
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Aug 31, 2018
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Texas
i know runners develop issues with toenails

We removed a couple with just local anesthetic for the wife of one of my docs

If I had any slight desire to run, that little episode removed it from my mind

Gives me chills and makes my toes hurt just thinking about it

Proper way is to remove nail and apply acid as stated/linked above
 
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