Anyone have their toenails fixed? God that sounds wrong.
I am considering having the nail ripped and shove a medicine up there that kills it off so that nothing grows back (just the ingrown aspect not the whole nail)?
Anyone have this done? What is the recovery like and how long out from a race should I do it…or is that shot so bad I should get it done at the end of season when I can’t feel my feet?
Ah, well I’ve done this a few thousand times. No big deal, really. Also had this done to myself. Most people are back running in just a few days - a little tender, but if you are contemplating doing this, I can only assume that your toe is tender now as well.
I would not get this done within 2 weeks of a race though. Some have a reaction to the Phenol (the acid used for the matrixectomy part) or a possible post procedure infection that would need addressed before your race. Both minor issues, but could really hamper your race.
Best of luck!
Since I am paying for this out of pocket…my insurance totally blows…is 150-200 per toe normal? Or did I misunderstand and it is 200/side meaning 400 per toe?
They have been bothering me for years, I just ignore it, but the last few races it has altered my form. Just want to take care of it during a recovery phase. I don’t ‘think’ my toes are swollen, I just finally got sensation back in them for the first time this year.
btw…lie to me and tell me it is a small needle, I don’t do needles.
Thanks Doc!
I’ve had this procedure done… It’s no biggie. The worse part is the first injection of some numbing agent… After that’s done you can’t feel a thing.
I had both big toes done when I was a kid and, knock on wood, I haven’t had a problem in over 20 years! 
I had it done about 5 years ago and have had no issues since. I cut my nails in a ‘V’ shape to stop them from growing intot he sides of the toe (seems to work so far). All I have to say about the procedure I had was that the first injection hurts a little, the rest is just pressure…but when the freezing wore off and the blood rushed to the toe…holy shit it hurt for about 30 minutes…absolute throbbing pain. But then it went away and all was good again. Within a day or two I was back feeling good again.
Oh, God, the memories.
My right big toe was killing me every time I would ride hard. So, one thursday I went to see the nearest podiatrist and he took out 1/4 of my big toenail and wrapped it.
Of course, being stupid, I had to go do a race that night. So I did. Naturally, I couldn’t just sit in, nooooo I had to hop in a 40-mile breakaway. Yeah, the bandage was a little bloody after all that.
What a dumbass.
Price sounds about right. Other posters are good to listen to. Yes, the needle is very small (25 or 27 gauge) and ask for some ethyl chloride spray first to help the initial pinch.
If you can get to Cincinnati (where else), I’ll do it for free for a fellow Slowtwitcher -
Best to 'ya
Please have fixed right away.
when i was young, i was embarrassed that i had gotten ingrown toe nails on both of my big toes. so, i dug at them myself. only made things worse. they became so infected that I had to have surgery. i’ve broken 3 bones, and had more than 15 sugeries for skin problems, but…the toes were BY FAR the most painful event of my life. in part because of the hack that took most of my nail off of each toe. they will never grow back now.
three needles into each infected toe. i think i’m going to be sick now.
good luck.
I had my nail on my big toe removed and had the chemicle put on it so it won’t grow back. Best thing I ever did - I wish I could do the same with all my toes. Think of the time savings never trimming my toenails.
I was out of training for only 3 days.
rroof…man, I might have to take you up on that. My closest girlfriend is a model and keeps pushing me to take a trip North believe it or not but Cinncinatti for some photo shoot, I just couldn’t justify a trip without a race/training involved.
Thanks to all that chimed in, I feel more at ease. The whole needle thing freaked me out. Think I am going to wait 2 months to get the toes numb again, the shot REALLY freaks me out.
My closest girlfriend is a model and keeps pushing me to take a trip North believe it or not but Cinncinatti for some photo shoot, I just couldn’t justify a trip without a race/training involved.
Can I come?
I had mine fixed…no issues, no pain, no more problem…you may want to as RRoof…(if he has not already replied)
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Dear Khai…check your inbox 
if you think you can handle HIGH MAINTENANCE, you are more than welcome to come.
You could just do a local race, say a 1/2 IM, and I’ll do it after you are exhausted getting a massage
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Are you referring you your friend, or yourself? 
The phenol injection (or whatever is injected to kill the nail bed) will leave some pretty ugly nails.
The usual problem is cutting the nails too short. First, if the nail is ingrown, one can often have the corner cut back about 1cm, to give the skin fold next to the nail time to recover. Soak and retract it frequently followed by antibiotic ointment. Once the nail is longer than the skin fold, never again cut it shorter than the fold. Leave the nail corner showing.
It may be too late for this, though.
Khai…you’ll have to crew with me someday and let you decide (mexico Nov?)…just don’t crew with me when I have a parasite. I had some of the nicest people from TNO come help me one year and I was unbelieveably not myself.
rroof…I do want to take you up and get these feet straight (that so TOTALLY ROCKS!!!). The nail tech removed my one on the left (my God did it hurt!) but the one on the right I think needs a professional touch. Do I wait for it to grow out further again until it hurts? btw she just called me about a function tonight and I mentioned to her about the trip to Cincy…she will not let it rest until I go now. Thinking no races, just play - I don’t think I remember how to ‘race’.
Khai…you’ll have to crew with me someday and let you decide (mexico Nov?)…just don’t crew with me when I have a parasite. I had some of the nicest people from TNO come help me one year and I was unbelieveably not myself.
Sounds like fun. Not this Nov, but perhaps one of these years…
In general, the procedure is done if/only when the nail hurts. But, if this is a frequent and/or chronic problem, then by all means, get it done so it is fixed, once and for all. Done right, there is very little to no cosmetic difference in the nail.
Feel free to PM if/when you come to town - I have 5 offices around the city. Also, maybe we can get KittyCat to cook for you as well? I don’t mind doing it for 'ya, but I would need a little lead time to work you in as I’m usually booked.
Take care!