Nail avulsion is a medical procedure commonly used to treat severe or recurrent cases of ingrown toenails, where conservative treatments like warm soaks or trimming the nail aren’t effective. The procedure involves removing part or all of the toenail to relieve pain and prevent further issues.

Steps in a Nail Avulsion Procedure:
Preparation and Anesthesia:

The toe is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
A local anesthetic is injected into the toe to numb the area, ensuring the procedure is painless.

Partial or Total Nail Removal:

Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA): Only the ingrown portion of the nail is removed. The physician carefully cuts along the edge of the nail that is causing the problem.
Total Nail Avulsion: In more severe cases, the entire nail is removed if the ingrown toenail involves the whole nail.
Chemical Treatment (optional):

Sometimes, after a partial avulsion, a chemical such as phenol may be applied to the nail bed to prevent the ingrown portion from regrowing.

Post-Procedure Care:
The toe is bandaged and may require elevation and rest for a few days.
Pain medication and antibiotic ointment may be recommended to prevent infection and ease discomfort.
Regular follow-ups are needed to ensure proper healing.
Nail avulsion is generally effective and has a low risk of recurrence when combined with chemical treatment. The nail may take several months to regrow, and in some cases, it may not grow back at all if a total avulsion was performed.