Services
Nail Surgery
If you don’t want to wait several months for NHS treatment then our Podiatrists at Active Step are able to provide you with nail surgery within a week.
Introduction to Nail Surgery
Toenail surgery is a fast, precise procedure, taking around 90 minutes. Most people can return to work, school, and their daily lives the following day with minimal interruption!
The goal of nail surgery is to provide a long-term solution to painful ingrowing toenails, extremely thick and unsightly nails and recurrent nail infections.
At Active Step, we can work with you to ensure that nail surgery is the best solution to resolve any nail conditions that are causing you regular discomfort, or that are preventing you from participating in sports and activities.
After healing, patients will be able to wear shoes that may have previously aggravated their ingrowing toenails and resume sports and recreational activities that they were unable to participate in while they were suffering.
If you don’t want to wait several months for NHS treatment then the expert Podiatrists at Active Step are able to provide you with nail surgery within a week.
If you’re suffering with toenail issues then book in an initial ingrown toenail consultation with one of our Podiatry specialists.
Why Choose Nail Surgery at Active Step?
When conservative treatments (such as filing, antibiotics, or over-the-counter remedies) are no longer effective, nail surgery offers a long-term solution. Choosing Active Step means:
- Fast access – treatment within a week, compared with long NHS waiting times.
- Specialist podiatrists – experienced clinicians who perform nail surgery regularly.
- Tailored care – from initial consultation to aftercare, every step is designed around your needs.
- Comfort-focused approach – with local anaesthetic and expert technique, the procedure is quick and minimally invasive.
Other nail surgery treatments we provide include:
- Nail Surgery for Ingrown Toenails
- Nail Surgery for Thick Nails
- Nail Surgery for Recurring Infection
- Nail Surgery for Fungal Toenails
What’s Involved in Nail Surgery?
- At Active Podiatry, Nail Surgery is performed by our HCPC registered Podiatrists. A local anaesthetic is injected into both sides of the base of the affected toe.
- Once the toe has been fully anaesthetised, a tourniquet (tight band) will be applied to the toe to prevent any bleeding during the procedure.
- After the surgery, the tourniquet will be removed, the toe will be checked for return of your blood supply to the toe and a sterile dressing will be applied.
- You will then remain for a short period of time in the clinic with your foot up and the dressing will be checked before you leave the clinic.
- You will be followed up within 72 hours and the toe will be checked and redressed.
Medical Risks of this Procedure
In extremely rare cases, local anaesthetics have caused an allergic reaction with rashes, swelling or very low blood pressure. You must inform your Podiatrist of any previous reactions or complications that have happened when you have had a local anaesthetic in the past.
As with any medical procedure, local anaesthetic may cause some discomfort when being injected into the toe.
Other risks or complications that may occur very rarely include:
- Postoperative infection, which your Podiatrist will manage by supplying you with a course of antibiotics.
- Chemical flare which will cause your toe to look extremely red and rosy for a few weeks, although this is not serious and will settle down as the toe heals
- Prolonged numbness or tingling in the toe caused by nerve irritation from the injection. This is rare but can last several weeks before resolving.
- Nail regrowth can occur in 5% of cases, and is usually minor and not problematic. Very rarely some patients do not respond to the chemical applied (phenol) and may have to be referred for an orthopaedic procedure to resolve their ingrowing toenail.
- Delayed healing may occur where there are underlying health complaints that may compromise the speed in which the body heals, however your Podiatrist will monitor you until resolution.
What to Expect After Nail Surgery
Most patients return to normal daily activities the next day. Here’s what to expect:
- Initial healing: Redness and mild tenderness for a few days.
- Dressings: Your podiatrist will provide instructions on how to keep the toe clean and change dressings.
- Follow-up: You’ll have a check-up within 72 hours to monitor healing.
- Resuming activity: Most people can wear normal shoes again within a week and return to low impact sport within a month.
- Final outcome: Once healed, the nail edge will not regrow, preventing future problems.
Nail Surgery in Fareham, Hampshire
We are one of the leading clinics in Hampshire providing fast access to podiatry-led nail surgery. Patients travel to our Fareham clinic from Portsmouth, Southampton, Gosport, and Winchester for expert care and quick treatment.
Patient Testimonials
Nail Surgery FAQs
No. The local anaesthetic ensures the procedure itself is pain-free. You may feel mild soreness after, which is manageable with simple pain relief.
Most patients heal fully in 6-8 weeks, though you may be able to return to normal activities much sooner.
For the majority of people, yes. Only the problematic edge of the nail is removed, and a chemical (phenol) prevents regrowth. This leaves a slightly narrower but healthy-looking nail.
There’s a small chance (about 5%) of regrowth, but most cases are permanently resolved. We offer a guarantee should you experience regrowth, whereby the procedure will be repeated under your package of care.