Tots in Heels
See Dr. Silver’s TV interview Channel 33 News in Dallas concerning the problems of high heels in children and adults – from October 2010.
Chemical Matrixectomy Procedure for Ingrown Toenails
Chemical Matrixectomy - Sodium Hydroxide Chemical Matrixectomies are the preferred method of chemical matrixetomies performed at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. The advantages of this procedure outweigh the disadvantages and result in a high success rate. Documented success rates are over 98%. An advantage of the chemical matrixectomy is little to no post operative discomfort for most patients as well as lack of disability following the procedure. A patient can often return to work following the procedure. This procedure is performed in the office with the use of special instruments designed specifically for the procedure.
If the entire nail is removed and a chemical matrixectomy is performed, healing time can be 3-8 weeks. Partial nail removal with a chemical matrixectomy takes 2-4 weeks to heal.
Post operative care of a chemical matrixectomy is important. At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, our physicians advise daily cleaning in the shower or bath with liquid soap and a wash cloth. In addition, daily application of Amerigel wound gel is important until the toe is completely healed. The patient may also soak the involved foot twice daily for 15 minutes in warm water mixed with epsom salt and vinegar followed by application of antibiotic ointment and a band aid.
Phenol and Alcohol chemical matrixectomies are another treatment method for ingrown toenails. At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center our physicians choose to use sodium hydroxide over Phenol due to decreased recovery time with sodium hydroxide.
The physicians at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center in McKinney and Prosper, Texas have years of experience in performing ingrown nail procedures. Our team will make you feel at ease as we treat your toenail condition. Please call us at 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment with one of our foot and ankle specialists.
Dr. Eric Silvers is a highly-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in the treatment and resolution of toenail pathologies.
He has offices located in McKinney, TX & Prosper, TX.
Please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today!
Incision & Drainage Procedure for Ingrown Toenails
Incision and drainage is a procedure performed on infected toenails, such as paronychias. When performing an incision and drainage (I&D) on a infected toenail, it usually does not involve an actual incision.
The procedure is outlined below:
1. The toe with the infected toenail is numbed with local anesthetic at the base of the digit allowing the patient the ability to tolerate the drainage of the infection.
2. A small sliver of toenail from one or both sides (and sometimes the entire toenail) is removed. When the portion of the nail is appropriately removed, the nail border or nail bed is inspected for any remaining pieces of toenail that may be causing infection to be present. All pus and fluid is drained from the nail and disinfected.
It should be noted that when infection is present, a chemical matrixectomy cannot be performed. If a chemical is used to the kill or destroy the nail matrix from which the nail plate grows, this can create a small “burn” area.
It should also be noted that patients who have an I&D performed must realize that there is a high probability that the nail border may come back ingrown again. Therefore, it is important to return to our office before the toenail becomes infected again and have a chemical matrixectomy performed. This will ultimately prevent re-growth of the ingrown toenail.
If you have an infected toenail, please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment immediately.
Dr. Eric Silvers is a highly-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in the treatment and resolution of toenail pathologies.
He has offices located in McKinney, TX & Prosper, TX.
Please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today!
Cancerous Toenails
Cancerous Toenails- Melanoma is the most common cancerous tumor or lesion present at the nails. There are 4 types of melanoma:
1. Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: 10% of all melanomas. This melanoma is aggressive and invades very quickly. It occurs primarily on the soles of the feet, often on the digits or underneath the toenails. If this melanoma occurs underneath the toenail, it is called melanotic whitlow. This type of melanoma is usually found on non-caucasian individuals.
2. Superficial Spreading Melanoma: 70% of all melanomas. Occurs in younger people. Spreads from side to side before invading deep. Usually darkly pigmented, painful with irregular, asymmetrical shaped borders.
3. Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: 5% of all melanomas. This melanoma is the slowest growing and the least likely to metastasize. It is patchy with mottled pigmentation. It enlarges from side to side before invading deep. Occurs in sun-exposed areas. It is more common in patients older than 60 years old.
4. Nodular Melanoma: 15% of all melanomas. This melanoma has the worst prognosis and becomes invasive very early. This melanoma commonly ulcerates.
If you have a suspicious lesion on the toenail or foot, please have the lesion examined as soon as possible. Biopsy should be performed in order to receive an accurate diagnosis. Please call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
Dr. Eric Silvers is a highly-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in the treatment and resolution of toenail pathologies.
He has offices located in McKinney, TX & Prosper, TX.
Please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today!
Subungual Exostosis
Subungual exostosis- is an overgrowth of bone along the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx, the bone that sits under the toenail plate. A subungual exostosis can cause severe curvature of the nail plate which can lead to pain, onychocryptosis and infected ingrown toenails. Pain associated with a subungual exostosis can be addressed by padding the toe, removing the exostosis and/or the toenail plate.
Dr. Eric Silvers is a highly-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in the treatment and resolution of toenail pathologies.
He has office located in McKinney, TX & Prosper, TX.
Please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today!
Subungual Hematoma
Subungual Hematoma – This is a collection or pooling of blood underneath the nail plate. It is usually associated with blunt trauma such as dropping an object directly onto the toe. As blood collects underneath the nail plate, pressure increases. This increase in pressure is painful unless the blood is drained.
It is noted that if more than 25% of the nail plate has blood underneath it, the toenail should be removed to examine for laceration of the nail bed or the skin underneath the nail. If the nail bed is lacerated, it must be appropriately cleaned, disinfected, and sutured.
If the hematoma is less than 25% of nail plate involvement, the blood can then be drained and the nail plate left intact. This is performed in our office with either a hand-held cautery tool or a sharp blade to bore a hole into the nail plate and allow the blood to escape.
If you develop a subungual hematoma, please seek assistance from our physicians. Call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
Dr. Eric Silvers is a highly-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in the treatment and resolution of toenail pathologies.
He has offices located in McKinney, TX & Prosper, TX.
Please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today
