My goodness, Caroline, your foot problems make me feel guilty for ever having even brought mine up. All I can relate to is the removal of the sides of the nails on the big toes. Back in the early 90's, mine on my right foot suddenly decided to curve inward all along the outer side and it hurt terribly, finally driving me to see a podiatrist. He removed the side of that nail, healing was quick and relatively painless, and I went on my way happily.

The following year, darned if the left one didn't do the same thing, so I went back and had that one removed on the outer side as well. Again, not a problem. In fact, the afternoon of the procedure I was out tromping all over woods and fields with a realtor, trying to find land to buy.

You might wonder what your toes will look like after having that done. Mine healed nicely and while the nails are a little more narrow than originally, I don't think anyone would ever notice.

Other foot-related difficulties that I've had don't match up with yours, but for this one, I'd say go for it--anything to keep your feet healthy and comfortable, especially with your diabetes.

You have described my feet, especially the second toes turning under, for balance, cause I have no arches either Do either of your feet turn out? My left one does, badly.

I had my left foot toenail removed completely in the mid 80's...by a GP. Then my right foot big toenail completely removed in the early 90's by a surgeon...wish I would have had him redo my other at the same time. The surgeon tried talking me into just have having the edges done, but I said I wanted it all as the other foot. I have UGLY toes...but I really don't care, I don't that pain of ingrown toenails all the time!

My daughter Caryn had both of her sides on both big toes cut out about 12 years ago....hers look really nice, she can still paint them and make them pretty.

Being diabetic, you will just have to watch them much closer after surgery...but it would be better to do that than mess with picking at them all the time. GOOD LUCK!

I had the sides of the toenail removed and the chemical put on....then worked a 5 hour shift right after. In an urgent care clinic so I was on my feet the entire time.
I am not saying it will be the same for you, however.

Starting several years ago, I had an ingrown toenail on my right big toe. GP did the side cut thing, and that ended that problem.

Then some time later the same big toe began to have cramping pains, and got so bad I saw the orthopedic. doctor, who performed a surgery called 'Keller bunionectomy" though I have never had a bunion. It is similar to a replacement, but not really. He noticed the toe next to the big toe was leaning in on the big toe and he removed that nail. That fixed that problem.

Next I had my left knee replaced, and while I was recuperating, I was walking across the tiled floor in the bathroom, not wearing that shoe I was supposed to wear, and I tripped and broke the "little piggy toe" on my right foot. Doc said you can't "set" that tiny bone.

Later had my right knee replaced.

My spine, according to my Rheumatologist, is a "mess." I refuse to have any surgery on my spine. So over time, my feet and legs have become very arthritic, making it hard for me to trim my toenails. A couple years ago I had my ortho-doc to remove the toenails from both big toes. That has worked out fine. So as of now I have ten toes, but only seven toenails. My big toes now look like two little pink sausages! I have just recently decided to give up trying to twist around to trim those 7 nails myself, and I have located a shop near me where I can get my hair cuts, and the peddies.

BTW, next month I start the steroid injections, again, to alleviate some of the spinal problems, which are currently preventing me from driving.

That old saying that when your feet hurt, you hurt all over, .is for sure right.

Good luck to all with similar problems.

Sue

Caroline, I had the nail on my big toe removed eons ago when I was in the military. Except for the not-so-pretty look, I've always been happy that I had the procedure. No more pain! If you are thinking of having a bunionectomy, though, all I can say is don't, please. I had that done (and the hammer toe next to it 'almost' fixed), and it threw my spine out of alignment. Result - major spinal, hip, and knee problems. Wish I had polled others before ruining my whole structure. Don't think you'll regret toenail removal, though. Good luck.

Caroline, I had the procedure to remove the sides of my big toenails about a month ago. I have not regretted it, and it's wonderful not to have the constant pain of ingrown toenails!
At some time in the future I may need to have the other big toe done. I'm also one who has had lots of foot issues for many years. I've had plantar's fasciitis, surgery for hammertoe, morton's neuroma, and now this ingrown toenail problem. Seems that some of us are just prone to have these things.

A podiatrist removed the ingrowing side of DH's left great toenail many years ago. No troubles.

About 20 years ago he had a surgeon operate on the same toe due to two bone spurs -- one on the top of the toe and one underneath. The surgeon replaced the deformed bone with titanium screws. (The spurs probably got their start during DH's days on his HS tennis team. The condition is called 'turf toe' when it afflicts football players.)

We learned the hard way that it's not enough to have foot surgery without getting some massage and physical therapy afterwards. Ask your MD to write a prescription for that.

A friend had painful bunions on both feet. She had bunion and toe surgery on one foot about a year ago -- now she thinks it was a waste of time, money and pain. The foot has 're-shaped' and the toes are crossing over one another again. (This is someone who follows the doctor's instructions to the letter.)

I'd research a long time before I started wearing orthotics. Also, a podiatrist is not quite the same as a medical doctor specializing in the foot and ankle. Choose carefully, according to the condition.

I hope you can do it but, this may not need to be said but I'm saying it, make sure you run it by the physician who takes care of you and your diabetes to see what they have to say about it.
Good luck and may you have dancing toes really soon. lol

Same here! I had 1/4 of my big toe nail cut off. No more ingrown toenail and I NEVER regret it.

Unfortunately mine was a bit more stubborn. I had to have the procedure 5 times until it finally took. Each time they kept leaving the acid medicine on longer and longer.

I'm so glad it's gone forever.