Nail surgery aftercare

Following nail surgery, you will manage your own dressings at home. Your wound will continue to discharge for several weeks and will appear red due to a chemical burn. This is perfectly normal and must not be confused with infection.

To help avoid infection, it is important that dressings are changed regularly. This information is also available in video format.

You may find it helpful to watch a dressing change demonstration. Please watch the video below.

What you will need (available online and in stores)

Low adherent sterile dressing pads 5cm x 5cm.
Tubular bandage SIZE 12 (big toe) Size 01 (other toes).
Surgical tape 5cm wide.
You may want to change to a non-woven island dressing: 6 x 8.3 (or similar size) later on in the healing process.

How to change your dressing

Firstly, wash your hands!
Gently remove your old dressing trying to not disturb the wound.
If the dressing has stuck, bathe the foot in warm water until the dressing can be removed easily. We do not advise you to have a bath during the healing process. You are however, able to take showers. Keep shampoo, soap, etc to a minimum and do not directly apply soap to the wound.
DO NOT dry the wound with a towel. Sit with your foot elevated and allow the toe to air dry. Once dry, redress as advised. Initially dressings are changed every other day.
The tubular dressing should be 2 ½ times the length of the toe and making the edges of the tape round will help it stick better.
Open the pad dressing. The shiny side of the pad needs to touch the wound. This film is to help stop the dressing sticking. Only touch the edges of the pad and not the centre. Use your fingers to apply the tubular dressing.

Directions

Hold the pad in place with one hand and pull the tubular dressing down over the toe with the other hand.
Twist a full turn in the tubular dressing at the top of the toe to close the end and then pull down over the toe.
Remove the tape backing and apply the tape making sure the tape has stuck.

Image showing the placement of a pad on the toe.

Image showing how to apply tubular dressing to the toe.

Once the wound has reduced in the amount that it weeps, you will be able to use a thinner island dressing. This dressing can be changed every 1 to 2 days.

Thinner Island Dressing Directions

Take the dressing out of the packaging and remove the backing. Be careful not to touch the pad area, only the dressing edges. Place over the wound, press down the sides, press down the top and fold in each side as shown below.

Images showing how to apply a dressing to your toes

Advice on activities

During healing, your normal day to day activities should not be affected.
Activities where the wound will get traumatised (running, football, ballet) are best avoided until healing has occurred.
You must wait until the toe is healed before swimming.
Make sure your footwear is suitable and not causing pressure on the wound. This will delay healing and increase the risk of infection.

How long will I need to redress the toe?

Your wound will take on average about 6 to 12 weeks to heal.
This will vary considerably from one individual to another due to age, smoking and general health.
It is important to keep the wound dressed until complete healing has occurred. This is usually following 2 to 3 dry dressing changes in a row.

What if I have a problem?

After surgery it is possible to have discomfort and we would advise the use of pain relief medication. If the pain is not settling or has increased it could be an indication of infection.
Other indications of an infection could be heat, swelling, redness, bad smell or high levels of discharge. If you suspect an infection, you need to consult with your GP surgery as a prescription maybe required.
If you are concerned, please contact us. If possible, an emailed photo is helpful.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:

Podiatry Department

One Life

Linthorpe Road

Middlesbrough

TS1 3QY

Telephone: 01642 944746

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm

Email: [email protected]

Patient Experience Team (PET)

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.

This service is based at James Cook University Hospital but also the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone: 01642 854807 / Freephone: 0800 0282451
Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).