Gutter Splint For Ingrown Toenail

Herein we describe a more conservative gutter technique that is less traumatic and does not require anesthesia.

Gutter splint for ingrown toenail.

1 2 in the classic gutter splint method the ingrown edge of the nail plate is freed up to the extreme proximal part and then splinted using a gutter. In the classic gutter splint method the ingrown edge of the nail plate is freed up to the extreme proximal part and then splinted using a gutter. Trick of the trade. Isolation of the nail plate from the ulcer bed using a gutter shaped splint may improve healing.

A conservative method to gutter splint ingrown toenails ingrown toenails can be due to trauma improper nail cutting and or anatomic abnormalities of the nail apparatus. Physicians may apply a gutter splint to the ingrown nail edge by slitting vinyl intravenous tubing and cutting it to fit with one end cut diagonally for smooth insertion14 figure 2 8. This method requires anesthesia. Conservative approaches for the treatment of ingrown toenails without infection include placing a cotton wisp dental floss or gutter splint with or without acrylic nail under the ingrown nail.

Anesthetize the toe either by topical anesthetic or by nerve blocks not always necessary for mild cases.