Parts Of A Nail
The nail plate (hard part of the nail) is what most people refer to when they discuss their nails. The soft part of the nail below the nail plate is called the nailbed-this is where the nail grows. The nailbed and plate are supported by the underlying bone of the finger or toe. The nail fold is where the nail plate goes under the skin closer to the hand.
Types Of Nail Deformities
There are several common nail disfigurements. The first involves grooves or raised areas in the nail. This is often a result of a crush injury to the nail. This kind of nail malformation can cause problems for patients as dirt and dust can become trapped under the grooved or raised areas. The abnormal part of the nail is usually a result of a scar within the nail bed. The treatment is based on the width of the groove/raised area. The simplest procedure is to remove the scar in the nailbed and repair it. This allows the nail to grow together with a uniform appearance.
A second common nail problem is a hook nail deformity where the nail hooks downward at the end of the fingertip. This deformity is the result of a fingertip injury, resulting in the nailbed becoming longer than the underlying bone. Without proper support for nail growth, the nail hooks around the tip of the finger. The treatment is to provide more support for the nailbed or to shorten the nailbed to the length of the bone.
A third type of nail defect is where there is a scar from the surrounding skin to the nail. This unsightly deformity can be a source of great embarrassment for people. This can result from a crush injury or infection at the edge of the nail. To correct it, the scar tissue is removed and the nail fold is reconstructed. This allows the nail plate to grow properly without adhering to the surrounding skin.
The fourth and most severe nail deformity is when the entire nail grows poorly becoming an irregular, firm area without having any nail plate growth. This is usually the result of a severe crush injury. This can only be corrected by removing the nailbed and transferring a thin piece of nailbed from one of the big toes. Many people are nervous about this procedure, fearing that the toenail will be affected long term. However, taking a thin piece of nailbed from a toe does not affect growth of the toenail; the nail on the big toe will continue to grow normally. In cases of severe nail deformities, this is the best option for obtaining a normal appearing and growing a nail in a traumatized finger or toe.
Nail deformities can cause both functional and aesthetic problems for many people. But disfigured nails can be corrected so people can resume normal use and the appearance of the finger or toe is improved.
At Advanced Specialty Care, our skilled team including surgeons Dr. Sohel Islam and Julia Toto, registered nurses and medical office staff care treat a full range of hand maladies including nail deformities, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contractures, finger and nerve injuries, osteoarthritis, as well as many unsightly conditions such as ganglions, arthritic spurs, protruding veins and skin blemishes. We are located in Danbury, in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
– Dr. Sohel Islam