Nail Surgery for Adults and Children
Rachel Miller is a highly experienced HCPC-registered chiropodist and podiatrist who regularly performs nail surgery on adults, young children and teenagers.
Nail surgery is a routine minor procedure used to treat ingrown, painful or damaged toenails, often where symptoms are persistent or recurrent. It is commonly recommended when conservative treatment has not resolved an ingrown toenail or when infections recur.
The procedure is performed while you are awake under a local anaesthetic ensuring the toes is numb and comfortable.
Nail surgery is a quick, commonly used procedure with a very high success rate. It can provide a permanent, safe and lasting solution for persistent ingrown toenails (onychoryptosis) or other chronic toenail conditions.
Rachel understands that both adults and children may feel anxious about nail surgery and approaches the procedure with patience, gentleness and care. She will do her best to put you at ease throughout the process.
Please see below if you want more information about nail surgery.
Nail Surgery for Adults and Children
Is nail surgery right for you?
Not every ingrown or problem nail requires nail surgery. If you or your child have been advised nail surgery may be necessary, you will first attend an initial consultation with Rachel for a comprehensive examination. During this consultation, Rachel will:
- Assess the affected nail and health of the surrounding tissue.
- Discuss the most effective treatment options for you or your child.
- Answer any questions you have.
- If nail surgery is required, you will be given clear advice about pre- and post-operative care
What does nail surgery involve?
Nail Surgery is a common and effective clinical treatment that involves removing either:
- One side of the toenail (partial nail avulsion/PNA) or
- The whole toenail (total nail avulsion/TNA), when clinically necessary
Following the removal, the affected nail bed is treated with a chemical called phenol. This process, known as phenolisation, prevents the nail from growing back.
Nail surgery is carried out while you are awake using a local anaesthetic to ensure the area is numb and comfortable.
Aftercare and recovery
You can walk immediately after nail surgery but it is recommended that you:
- Rest for 24 hours immediately after the procedure
- Keep your foot elevated for as much time as possible
- Bring shoes or sandals that are comfortable to wear over a bulky dressing
- Post-operative care: Includes a free follow-up redressing and monitoring appointment if required
Before surgery Rachel will fully explain the procedure and you will be given a written information sheet with pre and post surgery care advice.
Fees and insurance
For detailed information about the cost for nail surgery, see the Fees page.
Rachel is registered with most healthcare insurance providers, for information about claiming through your insurer, see the Fees page.
Further information
If you have questions about nail surgery call Highgate Podiatry on 020 8348 5553, leave a message for Rachel who will typically call you back within 24 hours.
Rachel Miller is highly experienced in performing nail surgery on adults and children and her clinic is at Highgate Podiatry in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London. Clinics are held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page.
Before undergoing nail surgery there are some risks to be aware of, including:
- Mild pain or soreness after the anesthesia wears off, which is normal and typically short-lived.
- Potential infection in the toe after the procedure, which may necessitate the use of antibiotics.
- Nails regrowing and requiring further removal. This occurs in less than 5% of cases.
- Rare instances of allergic reactions to the local anesthesia.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can walk immediately after nail surgery but it is recommended that you:
- Rest for 24 hours immediately after the procedure
- Keep your foot elevated for as much time as possible
- Bring shoes or sandals that are comfortable to wear over a bulky dressing
- Post-operative care: Includes a free follow-up redressing and monitoring appointment if required
Rachel will give you a written information sheet with pre and post surgery care advice.
No. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic so the toe is numb. Some mild pain or soreness after the anesthesia wears off is normal and typically short-lived.
No. You may be referred to Rachel Miller by your consultant, GP, or another medical professional but you can self-refer, book online or call Highgate Podiatry’s reception, who can help you find a convenient appointment.
Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've seen Rachel Miller recently due to a problem with the nails of my feet. She was professional and thorough. I would certainly recommend her.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rachel is an excellent practitioner. She addressed my issue gently and was very pleasant throughout the appointment. She really put me at ease. I would definitely recommend her.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service. Rachel is very professional and attentive. Highly recommend!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I called and left a message, Rachel called back within 2 hours, gave me some great advice for severs disease for my sons foot, didn’t push for me to make an appointment just said if pain continues come and see her, nice to see there is still good honest local professionals.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful care. Very careful and kind.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rachel is extremely welcoming, professional, and competent. She did an absolutely outstanding job on my feet. Afterward it felt like my feet were in heaven. Thank you so much Rachel, you rock!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rachel is an experienced and professional practitioner, who has been of great help to my family. I would highly recommend her without reservation.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am a runner who started getting knee pain. I decided to see Rachel who was strongly recommended by a friend. She gave me a detailed examination and some good advice which has been very useful. I was prescribed orthotics which have really helped with the pain and I am now back running. Thank you very much!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rachel did a home visit for my mum recently who's housebound. She did an excellent job, she's highly trained and experienced. We had a previous podiatrist who was not as experienced as Rachel - you could really tell the difference! She checked my mum medically ahead of starting treatment and gave us a plan to help with fungal infection. "She took the time and care" Strongly recommend her services.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Links to Services:
Links to Conditions Treated Include:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Ankle fractures
- Ankle injuries
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Bunions
- Corns/Calluses
- Diabetic care
- Flat feet
- Fungal toenail/athlete’s foot
- Haglund’s deformity
- Hammer toe and mallet toe
- Heel pain
- High arches
- Hypermobility
- Ingrown toenail
- In-toeing, toe walking, curly toes
- Knee injuries
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s neuroma
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Overuse injuries
- Patella tendinopathy
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sever’s disease
- Sprained ankles
- Stress fractures
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Toenails
