FAQs - Answers
About Ingrown Toenails
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
An "Ingrown Toenail" is actually a problem where there is too much skin aournd the nail - the nail is not the problem.
A study done on the nails (see Articles for a link to the article) shows that there is no difference in the nails of patients with Ingrown Toenails compared to a group of patients who do not have the problem.
What causes Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails are caused by weight-bearing (activities such as walking, etc.) in patients that have too much soft tissue (skin) on the sides of the nail. Weight bearing causes this excessive amount of skin to bulge up along the sides of the nail. The pressure on the skin around the nail results in the tissue being damaged, resulting in swelling, redness and infection.
Is there any way to prevent Ingrown Toenails?
Patients that have too much tissue along the sides of the nail are at a high risk for Ingrown Toenails. Should they cut the nail too short, especially along the sides, further bulging occurs with weight-bearing. This increases their probability of developing Ingrown Toenails.
What are the treatment options for Ingrown Toenails?
In the past (and unfortunately still today) the most common treatments are mainly directed at the nail. Treatments often include removal of part or all of the nail. But since the nail is normal and the problem of too much skin around the nail is not treated, and often result in the problem returning or in deformity/mutilation of the nail (see the Photo Gallery ).
What is the best treatment for an Ingrown Toenail?
The best treatment for an Ingrown Toenail is one that treats the excess tissue (skin) along the sides of the nail and leaves the nail untouched. Since the Vandenbos Procedure does this, it is the best way to deal with an Ingrown Toenail.
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The Vandenbos Procedure
Why should the Vandenbos Procedure be used instead of other treatments?
Unlike other procedures used to treat Ingrown Toenails, the Vandenbos Procedure does not touch the nail. This means that the nail looks normal after the procedure and the toe looks excellent!
Other procedures can leave the nail deformed and the problem often returns. Procedures where the nail is removed are more prone to infection, requiring the use of anti-biotics and often do not fix the problem. The toe is usually not fixed and it often does not look good.
The Vandenbos Procedure has had a negligible reccurence rate - Dr. Chapeskie has had no recurrences and all patients have had excellent cosmetic results!
If the procedure is performed correctly, with a generous amount of skin removed, the problem will not recurr. If a recurrence does occur, it is most likely that the physician did not remove enough skin around the nail the first time the procedure was done.
How long does the procedure take?
The actual procedure takes about 20 minutes for one toe and 30 minutes for two toes.
How successful is the procedure? Will my Ingrown Toenail come back?
The procedure was first described by Vandenbos and Bowers (1959). They had no known recurrences. Vandenbos and Bowers performed and reported on 55 patients.
Dr. Andrew Chapeski performed over 200 procedures in over 35 years with no known recurrences.
Dr. Henry Chapeskie has done over 500 procedures (about 700 toes) in 20 years with no known recurrences.
If the procedure is performed correctly, the problem will not return!
*However, this procedure cannot fix a nail that has already been damaged/mutilated from previous nail surgery.*
Is there anything I should do to prepare for the procedure?
Yes. Your doctor may give you a prescription for pain medication for after the surgery - it is a good idea to pick this up before the surgery so that you have it ready for when you get home.
Also, you need to arrange for someone to drive you to the clinic and to pick you up after the procedure.
How do I care for my toe(s) after surgery?
Please Click here for Patient Instructions for after the surgery.
Where can I get more information on the Vandenbos Procedure?
For the full text of Kermit Vandenbos' article and other Critical Research, Click here.
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