Picture this: you’ve been tiptoeing around with a sore, swollen big toe for weeks. Maybe it’s red, maybe it’s oozing, and every time you put on a sock or bump it, you wince. You’ve Googled your symptoms (dangerous move, we know!) and stumbled across those two chilling words: nail surgery.

Sounds terrifying, right?

Well, we’re here to put your mind at ease. At Birtley Foot Clinic, we perform nail surgery all the time—and it’s not half as scary as it sounds. In fact, for many of our patients, it’s the very thing that gets them back to pain-free living.

Let’s break down what really happens during nail surgery, and why you’ve got nothing to worry about.

First Things First: What Is Nail Surgery?

Nail surgery is a quick, simple procedure carried out by a trained Podiatrist—like our friendly team at Birtley Foot Clinic. It’s most commonly used to treat stubborn, recurring ingrown toenails that haven’t responded to other treatments.

The goal? To remove part (or sometimes all) of the toenail that's causing pain, inflammation, or infection—and to stop it from growing back incorrectly.

"But Will It Hurt?"

Honestly? Not during the procedure. The area is completely numbed with a local anaesthetic. The most you’ll feel is a tiny pinch from the needle—like a quick scratch—and that’s it.

Claire Dawson, our clinic owner, actually had nail surgery herself as a teenager after suffering through years of painful ingrowing nails. “I used to try and fix them myself with tweezers and scissors,” she recalls. “Eventually I ended up with a nasty infection and finally went to see a chiropodist. I had nail surgery, and within days, I was back on my feet and pain-free.”

Her experience sparked her passion for podiatry, so you're literally in the hands of someone who’s been through it herself.

What to Expect on the Day

Here’s a little walk-through of a typical nail surgery appointment at our Foot Clinic in Birtley:

1. We chat through everything first – no rush, no pressure.

2. Your toe is numbed with a local anaesthetic (you’ll be wide awake, but pain-free).

3. We remove the offending nail section—or the whole nail if needed.

4. A special solution is applied to prevent the problem part from growing back.

5. We dress the toe, give you aftercare advice, and you’re good to go!

The whole thing usually takes less than an hour.

What About Aftercare?

This is where you come in! After surgery, we’ll show you exactly how to care for your toe at home. It’s super simple and we’re just a phone call away if you have questions.

You'll likely need to wear open-toe shoes or sandals for a few days, and we advise avoiding high-impact sports or tight footwear until it’s fully healed (around 2–6 weeks, depending on the person).

But here's the good news: most people experience immediate relief from the painful pressure that was there before.

“Is It Really Worth It?”

Absolutely. If you’ve had repeated infections, can’t wear normal shoes, or dread every step—nail surgery is a game-changer.

We see so many patients walk into Birtley Foot Clinic nervous, sometimes nearly in tears, and leave feeling relieved and hopeful.

In fact, we often hear: “I wish I’d done this sooner.”

Still Feeling Unsure?

That’s perfectly normal. Surgery—no matter how minor—can be a daunting word. But nail surgery is one of the most common treatments we offer, and our team is here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

At our Foot Clinic in Birtley, you're treated like family. We listen, we explain, and we make sure you feel confident in your decision every step of the way.

If you're in Gateshead or Birtley and searching for Ingrown Toenail Treatment Birtley or Nail Surgery Birtley, we’ve got you covered.

Final Thought

If your toe has been bothering you for a while, don’t suffer in silence. Book a consultation with a Podiatrist in Birtley today and let us help you get back on your feet—literally!