Treatment of retronychia: A systematic review and suggested treatment algorithm.

Retronychia is an inflammatory disorder typical of the great toes characterized by arrested nail growth, ingrowth of the nail plate into the proximal nail fold and paronychia. There is no standardized treatment for retronychia, and its management should be weighed based on the severity stage, treatment modality, and clinical outcome. In this paper, a systematic review of the literature was performed to assess all published data regarding the treatment of retronychia. A total of 231 patients from 24 studies were included in the analysis. Conservative management was adopted in mild-intermediate forms, consisting of medical (topical or intralesional high-potency corticosteroids) and podiatric treatment (taping, clipping back the onycholytic plate, orthosis), leading to a global cure rate of 41.2%, with no reported side effects. Non-conservative management, that is, chemical or surgical avulsion of the nail plate, proved resolutive in 71.2% of cases. Surgical avulsion of the nail plate produced the highest cure rate (78.2%), but was burdened by 9.6% of long-term sequelae, mainly nail dystrophies. A decision-making algorithm was designed to give clinicians treatment indications based on the severity stage of retronychia, treatment invasiveness, and possible clinical outcomes.

Retronychia-an uncommon cause of chronic proximal nail fold inflammation.

Retronychia is defined as nail plate ingrowth into the proximal nail fold causing pain and perionyxis. We report on a case series of seven patients seen from 2001 to 2020 (mean age 20 years). Xanthonychia was observed in all nails. Total nail avulsion was performed in eight nails. Complete remission was obtained in 100%. During follow-up for up to 24 months, no relapse occurred.

[Ingrown toenails]. / Der Unguis incarnatus.

Ingrown toenails Abstract. Ingrown toenails are the most common foot problems in primary care. Untreated or mistreated ingrown toenails will lead to unacceptable long suffering of the patient with negative impact on their daily life. Still there is no consensus reached for best treatment and usually the surgical options are the last solution. One reason might be the high variety in conservative und surgical treatment. But also, the high recurrence rates after surgery with up to 30 % described in literature. We think, that these high numbers might be also a sign for improper performed surgery. In this article we would like to give you a step by step pathway in a minimal invasive partial nail avulsion with partial matricectomy, which we perform since several years in our clinic. We are convinced of the cosmetical, functional and long-term results of this procedure.

Review of onychocryptosis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.

Ingrown toenail, or onychocryptosis, is a highly prevalent nail condition that occurs when the nail edge grows into the periungual dermis. It most frequently affects the hallux and has a biphasic presentation, being most common in the second and fifth decades. It is often painful and may be debilitating in severe cases. Risk factors include trauma, weight changes, poor nail-cutting technique, and hyperhidrosis. Both conservative and surgical treatments have been described, and choice of therapy is dependent on patient co-morbidities, severity, and associated symptoms. This review covers the epidemiology, risks factors, pathogenesis, evaluation, and staging of ingrown toenails, as well as, treatment options. Although there is an unmet need for clinical trials comparing therapies, current recommendations are to treat conservatively and then proceed to surgical therapies if symptoms persist.

Risk Factors and Frequency of Ingrown Nails in Adult Diabetic Patients.

The present study evaluated the properties of nails, frequency of ingrown nails in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), risk factors for developing ingrown nails, and effect of diabetic polyneuropathy and vasculopathy on the development and outcome of ingrown nails. Our 6-month epidemiologic prospective study included 300 patients with type 2 DM attending a DM outpatient clinic for routine examinations. The general characteristics and foot changes of the study population were investigated. Diabetic polyneuropathy and vasculopathy were evaluated using a biothesiometer, monofilament tests, and arterial Doppler ultrasonography. The frequency of ingrown nails was 13.6%. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression showed that body mass index (odds ratio [OR] 1.077, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.007 to 1.15; p = .03), previous trauma (OR 2.828, 95% CI 1.017 to 7,867, p = .042), a weak dorsalis pedis pulse (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.30, p = .02), trimming type (OR 2.3, 95 CI 1.06 to 4.98), p = .35), onychogryphosis (OR 9.036, 95% CI 2.34 to 34.87, p = .001), and subungual hyperkeratosis (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.99 to 9.3, p = .001) were predictive variables for ingrown nails in our population. The incidence of onychomycosis was significantly greater in patients with ingrown nails (p = .032) than in patients without ingrown nails. The nail curvature ratio was greater in the patients with ingrown nails than in the group with normal nails. Arterial Doppler ultrasound examinations showed peripheral arterial disease in 19 patients (46.9%) with ingrown nails. The prevalence of ingrown nails was greater in the patients with DM than in the healthy population. Our results indicate that nail type, nail morphology, and diabetic vasculopathy affect the formation and evolution of ingrown nails.

"Retronychia--clinical and pathophysiological aspects".

Retronychia represents proximal ingrowth of the nail that occurs when the nail embeds backwards into the proximal nail fold. It is suspected when there is a persistent paronychia, particularly in the setting of trauma. Important clinical criteria for diagnosis are inflammation of the proximal nail fold, granulation tissue emerging from under the nail fold, thickening of the proximal portion of the nail plate and interruption of nail growth. The condition is rarely diagnosed and often misinterpreted, and is therefore unnecessarily treated with systemic antibiotics and antifungals. Avulsion of the nail confirms the diagnosis and it is the curative treatment. Conservative treatment with an adhesive technique is a valid option in early cases. We report 20 cases of retronychia diagnosed in our department between 2010 and 2013.

Toenail paronychia.

Paronychia is an inflammation of the tissues alongside the nail. It may be acute or chronic and can be seen in isolation or in association with an ingrowing toenail. Acute paronychial infections develop when a disruption occurs between the seal of the nail fold and the nail plate, providing a portal of entry for invading organisms. The treatment of paronychia associated with an ingrowing toenail is aimed at treating the causal toenail. In paronychia not associated with an ingrowing toenail, antibiotics may cure an early infection but surgical drainage of an abscess is often required. In this case, an intra-sulcal approach is preferable to a nail fold incision. Chronic paronychia is less common in the feet than in the hands. It is a form of contact dermatitis and is frequently non-infective, however the chronically irritated tissue may become secondarily colonised by fungi. A dermatology consultation should be obtained for suspected chronic paronychia. Patients with chronic paronychia that is unresponsive to standard treatment should be investigated for unusual causes, such as malignancy. An algorithm for the treatment of paronychia is presented in this review.

Retrospective evaluation of conservative treatment for 140 ingrown toenails with a novel taping procedure.

The aim of this study is retrospectively to review the efficacy of a taping procedure for treating ingrown toe-nails or for supporting other conservative treatments of ingrown toenails. A total of 140 ingrown toenails treated at the Dermatology Clinic in Tohoku University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed for demographic characteristics, association with granulation tissue or infection, treatment modalities and their outcomes, and classified according the treatment modalities. All the ingrown toe-nails were treated with a novel taping procedure, "slit tape-strap procedure" alone or in conjunction with other conservative treatments. The mean?±?SD duration until pain relief and until cure of the ingrown toenail were 4.8?±?4.7 days, range 0-24 and 21.0?±?11.2 weeks, range 4-56, respectively. All of the treatments were all effective, although 18 cases recurred after treatment. The "slit tape-strap procedure" is effective in treating ingrown toenails, either as a monotherapy or as a supportive therapy for other conservative treatments.

Ingrown toenails: the role of the GP.

BACKGROUND: An ingrown toenail or onychocryptosis may occur at any age and is the mostly commonly encountered toenail problem likely to be seen in general practice. OBJECTIVE: This article will discuss the common surgical approaches available for the management of an ingrown toenail. DISCUSSION: Ingrown toenail can be a painful condition that can become infected and may require surgical treatment. The epidemiology of onychocryptosis is difficult to determine as it is often considered to be a minor medical problem and as such has been some-what neglected in the literature. The few studies that have been conducted suggest a slightly higher male-to-female ratio, particularly in the 14-25 age group,4 but it can affect patients of any age. There are multiple reasons why an ingrown toenail will develop, including improper nail cutting technique, tight-fitting footwear, trauma, anatomical factors such as thickening of the nail plate, pincer-shaped toenail, pressure from abutting digits caused by hallux valgus or lesser toe deformities, the presence of a subungual exostosis and, occasionally, the use of isotretinoin in the treatment of severe acne.

[Competent treatment also in "surgical peanuts"!]. / Kleine chirurgische Notfälle - oder ist es doch mehr?

Ankle sprains, burns, cuts and lacerated wounds, ingrowing toenail - topics, that are common in the general practitioner's office. Just peanuts? If they are correctly treated, yes, maybe. But if poorly diagnosed and badly treated they turn out to be troublesome for the patient and the doctor - a real "pain in the neck"! Therefore competent treatment is mandatory, also for these "peanuts"!

Effectiveness of standard lavage with supplemental chlorhexidine in patients undergoing chemical matricectomy for ingrown toenails: a clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Phenolization is often used to treat ingrown toenails. Alcohol lavage with or without supplemental chlorhexidine may be used to remove residual phenol, which can contribute to side effects such as persistent oozing or drainage. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the effectiveness in removing residual phenol of lavage with alcohol plus chlorhexidine versus alcohol alone. METHODS: We studied 80 patients who underwent unilateral phenol matricectomy: 40 who received irrigation with alcohol alone and 40 who received irrigation with alcohol plus chlorhexidine. Phenol levels were measured after each of 5 rounds of 3-mL irrigations. RESULTS: After the first irrigation, an average of 44.92% and 38.35% of the phenol remained in the nailfold in the alcohol and the alcohol/chlorhexidine groups, respectively (P < .05). After all 5 irrigations, no difference in efficacy between the 2 solutions was found (P > .005). LIMITATIONS: It was not possible to calculate the quantity of phenol initially introduced into the nail bed. The percentage remaining was calculated from the total amount of phenol recovered. CONCLUSION: When a single irrigation step is performed after phenolization, alcohol plus chlorhexidine is more effective than alcohol alone for removing residual phenol. When multiple irrigations are performed, the 2 solutions are equally effective.

Polihexanide solution is more efficient than alcohol to remove phenol in chemical matricectomy: an in vitro study.

For treatment of ingrown toenails, a phenolization approach is often chosen. Many reports describe a lavage of the wound with alcohol to neutralize any residual phenol; however, it remains uncertain if there is a more effective solution for use in the lavage step. The aim of our study was to analyze the suitability and effectiveness of 0.1% polihexanide solution compared with isopropyl alcohol in the removal of excess phenol after treatment for ingrown toenails. We performed an in vitro study using human matrix and a diffusion cell apparatus to measure the amount of phenol remaining after two lavage washes. The effect of phenol evaporation was also examined.When phenol was irrigated with alcohol alone, 27.43 ± 4.10 mg (57.74%) of the initial amount of phenol was recovered. If irrigated with 0.1% polihexanide, 35.98 ± 2.93 mg (75.74%) of phenol was recovered. These results indicate that a polihexanide lavage step has significantly higher efficiency for removing excess phenol relative to alcohol.

Risk factors for poorly controlled and recurrence-prone ingrown toenails treated with nail braces: A retrospective observational study of 238 cases.

Background Nail braces are reportedly effective for treating both acute inflamed and chronic dystrophic type ingrown toenails. Aims In this study, risk factors for poorly controlled and recurrence-prone ingrown toenails treated with nail braces were identified. Methods We performed a retrospective study on patients with ingrown toenails between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2018. The last follow-up date was January 31, 2019. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the possible factors associated with poorly controlled status (ongoing paronychia during treatment) and recurrence. Results There were 120 (244 sides) and 118 patients (167 sides) with chronic dystrophic and acute inflamed type ingrown toenails, respectively. The mean treatment duration and follow-up period were 161.2 ± 98.3 days and 432.7 ± 320.9 days, respectively. Poor control and recurrence were seen in 7.3% (17/232) and 12.2% (27/221) of the patients, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, acute inflamed ingrown toenails, previous nail avulsion, proximal nail fold hypertrophy and more than one affected side remained significantly associated with poorly controlled ingrown toenails. Foot bone deformity was significantly associated with recurrence. Limitations This study was a retrospective study so that confounding factors such as comorbidities, body mass index, accompanying nail changes and lifestyle could not be evaluated. Conclusion Several risk factors related to poor control and recurrence were identified. Patients could therefore benefit from more suitable treatment plans with reasonable expectation.

Congenital curved nail of the fourth toe: Report of three cases and review of the literature.

Congenital curved nail of the fourth toe (CNFT) is a rare disorder in which the nail plate of the fourth toe is deformed as it curves toward the sole of the foot. The cause is still unknown, but the congenital deformity of the nail plate is thought to be due to shortening of the terminal phalanx and hypoplasia of soft tissue of the fourth toe. Here, we report three typical cases who presented congenital curving nail on both their fourth toes. Their X-ray showed that the distal phalanges of the fourth toes were short. Thus far, 19 cases of CNFT were reported in English literature. Interestingly, almost all cases have been from Asia (18 out of 19). The majority of the cases were bilateral and asymptomatic. Tenderness was seen in eight cases, which was caused by the pressure of the nail plate on the skin or ingrown nail. Treatment is basically unnecessary for the deformity, but it is important to teach safe and appropriate nail clipping methods to avoid pain. We can easily diagnose CNFT because of the characteristic clinical presentation and should provide appropriate advice on the nail care from early stage.

[Ingrown nail: A new cause of chronic perionyxis]. / Une nouvelle cause de périonyxis chronique : la rétronychie.

BACKGROUND: Retronychia is the phenomenon of ingrown nail resulting in inflammation of the proximal subungual fold and is a newly described entity. Herein, we report a new case revealed through chronic proximal perionyxis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 52-year-old woman followed up for hypothyroidism, for which she was receiving treatment, consulted for pain in the lateral fold of the left big toe that had been ongoing for four months and for which glomic tumour was the suspected cause. Questioning revealed repeated microtrauma due to wearing of tight shoes and lack of growth of the toenail over the previous four months (in contrast with the contralateral toenail). Examination showed painful proximal perionyxis of the left big toe, with discharge from the subungual fold. Ultrasound examination of the subungual fold revealed effusion of fluid around the matrix, and this was confirmed by MRI. Surgical avulsion of the nail was carried out, and recovery was complete. DISCUSSION: Retronychia is the result of a loss of continuity between the nail plate and the nail matrix, generally as a result of mechanical factors (distal trauma). However, unlike onychomadesis or Beau's lines, there is a disturbance of alignment between the two parts of the nail, which is normally maintained by the proximal subungual fold. This prevents newly formed nail from progressing towards the distal part of the plate, which itself is pushed into the nail bed and forced towards the proximal fold, causing inflammation of the latter structure. In our case, the pain recorded in the lateral fold was misleading, hence the ultimately unnecessary use of MRI to rule out the hypothesis of glomic tumour. Paronychia, discontinuation of nail growth and weeping through the subungual fold all argued in favour of a diagnosis of retronychia, which was confirmed by surgery. Surgical nail removal is the curative treatment for retronychia and results in complete cure without relapse or occurrence. CONCLUSION: Retronychia should be suspected in the event of persistent proximal perionyxis, particularly in a setting of trauma with interrupted nail growth. Nail avulsion constitutes both a diagnostic and a therapeutic procedure.