Gutter Splint For Ingrown Toenail

Trick of the trade.

Gutter splint for ingrown toenail. Herein we describe a more conservative gutter technique that is less traumatic and does not require anesthesia. Isolation of the nail plate from the ulcer bed using a gutter shaped splint may improve healing. In the setting of normal anatomy they are usually treated conservatively but the presence of a sharp edge of the nail in the ulcer may prevent wound healing. 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.

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. Isolation of the nail plate from the ulcer bed using a gutter. Toenail splinting the referenced article describes splinting the toenail essentially lifting the offending edge of the toenail so subsequent growth does not push into the tissue. This method requires anesthesia.

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.