After toenail removal surgery, monitoring for infection is essential to ensure proper healing. Infection can develop when bacteria enter the exposed nail bed, often due to poor wound care, excessive moisture, or an underlying medical condition. Risk factors include diabetes, compromised immunity, and inadequate post-surgical hygiene. Signs of infection may include increased redness, swelling, warmth, or throbbing pain around the surgical site. Pus drainage, foul odor, and delayed healing may also indicate an infection. Fever or chills could suggest a more serious complication requiring medical attention. Keeping the area clean and dry, following post-operative care instructions, and avoiding tight footwear can reduce the risk of infection. If you have had this type of foot surgery and an infection has developed, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to find relief and guide you on post surgery care essentials.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Institue. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. George, Hurricane, and Cedar City, UT and Mesquite, NV . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.