Can You Walk After Ingrown Toenail Surgery? What Recovery Really Looks Like

The number-one concern people have about ingrown toenail surgery isn't the procedure itself — it's what happens after. Can I walk? Do I need crutches? How long will I be off my feet? The answers are more reassuring than most people expect.

Yes, You Walk Out of the Office

Ingrown toenail surgery is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. A digital nerve block numbs the affected toe completely — you won't feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, the toe is bandaged, you put your shoe back on (an open-toed sandal or loose shoe works best), and you walk out. No crutches. No surgical boot. No wheelchair.

The local anesthesia typically lasts 2–4 hours after the procedure. During this window, the toe feels numb but you can walk normally. Once sensation returns, there's usually mild soreness that's well-managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

The First 48 Hours

The first day or two is when the toe is most tender. Rest and elevation help. Keep the bandage clean and dry — your podiatrist will provide specific dressing-change instructions. Most patients describe the discomfort as a dull ache rather than sharp pain, and many say it's actually less pain than the ingrown nail itself was causing.

You can walk for necessary activities — bathroom, kitchen, around the house. Avoid prolonged walking, running, or any activity that puts significant pressure on the toe. Open-toed shoes or sandals are more comfortable than enclosed shoes for the first few days.

Days 3–7: Rapid Improvement

By day 3, most patients notice significant improvement. The soreness decreases substantially. Many patients return to work the next day — especially if their job involves sitting. Jobs that require prolonged standing, heavy lifting, or steel-toed boots may need 2–4 days off, depending on comfort.

Soaking the toe in warm water with Epsom salts typically begins a day or two after surgery (your podiatrist will specify timing). This promotes healing and keeps the area clean. You'll apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage after soaking.

Weeks 2–4: Full Healing

The surgical site typically heals within 2–4 weeks. During this period, the area gradually becomes less tender and the skin closes over where the nail border was removed. You can resume exercise — running, hiking, gym workouts — as comfort allows, usually within 1–2 weeks. Swimming and communal showers should wait until the wound is fully closed to avoid infection.

What About the Nail?

For a partial nail avulsion (the standard procedure for ingrown nails), only the offending border of the nail is removed — the rest of the nail stays intact. The nail will look slightly narrower but cosmetically normal. If a chemical matrixectomy was performed to prevent regrowth of the ingrown border, that edge won't grow back, which is exactly the point — no more ingrown nail.

In cases of severe or chronically deformed nails, a total nail avulsion (removal of the entire nail) may be recommended. The nail bed heals to form a smooth surface, and if a matrixectomy is performed, the nail won't regrow. If the matrix is preserved, the nail regrows over 9–12 months.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Wear open-toed shoes or loose-fitting shoes for the first few days — don't force the bandaged toe into a tight shoe. Keep the area clean and dry between soaks. Don't pick at the healing tissue or pull on the nail. Avoid tight socks that compress the toe. If you notice increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, contact your podiatrist — these could indicate infection, though this is uncommon with proper aftercare.

When to Stop Suffering and Get It Fixed

Many patients endure ingrown toenails for months or years — performing "bathroom surgery" with nail clippers, soaking and hoping, or just living with the pain. The in-office procedure takes less than half an hour, requires no downtime beyond a day or two of taking it easy, and resolves the problem permanently in most cases. If you're dealing with a painful ingrown nail, the recovery is far easier than the condition itself.