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Chronic Retronychia: Nonsurgical Treatment
Eckart Haneke1, Ivana Manola2, Iva Smiljan Benko2
1Department of Dermatology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
Skin Appendage Disorders
|August 19, 2022
Summary
This study presents a novel nonsurgical treatment for retronychia, an ingrown nail condition. All 20 patients achieved healthy nail growth without relapse, demonstrating the treatment
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Podiatry
- Nail Disorders
Background:
- Retronychia is a post-traumatic ingrown nail condition caused by repeated microtrauma to the proximal nail fold.
- It involves the nail embedding backward into the nail fold, leading to abnormal nail plate formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel nonsurgical treatment for retronychia.
- To assess the outcomes in patients with chronic and short-term retronychia.
Main Methods:
- A nonsurgical approach combining proximal nail edge elimination and nail thinning using fraises and drills.
- Treatment was administered every 7-14 days, with follow-ups every 6 weeks.
- Treatment duration ranged from 2 to 14 months.
Main Results:
- All 20 patients achieved completely healthy nail growth.
- No relapses of retronychia were observed during an 18-month follow-up period.
- Factors influencing healing rate included intact nail length, patient age, and comorbidities like obesity and diabetes.
Conclusions:
- The described nonsurgical treatment effectively restored normal nail growth in all cases of retronychia.
- Continued use of protective measures with closed footwear is recommended to prevent recurrence.
