24/04/2026
The first photo are my toes after dropping a heavy object, there is clear trauma to the toes. There’s bruising under the nail, damage around the nail fold, and some skin breakdown. I had broken my big toe and second toe.
In the second photo the damaged portion of nail has started to grow out from where it was damaged in the nail plate.
The discoloured and thickened section is the old, traumatised nail plate moving forward as new nail grows from the matrix.
There’s partial nail separation
That lifted, slightly curved section suggests the nail has detached from the nail bed underneath. This is very common after trauma.
The nail has become thickened and distorted. Trauma to the nail matrix often leads to temporary (sometimes permanent) changes in how the nail grows, so it comes out thicker, ridged, or uneven.
Sue reduced and debrided the nail removing the thickened, detached, and distorted sections. She then applied a thin layer of medical toenail gel with anti-fungal properties to restore the natural nail contour,protect the exposed nail bed and to reduce pressure from footwear
This will also prevent the edge from becoming ingrown.
The surface now looks smooth, thinner, and more anatomically shaped.
The colour looks healthier because you’re no longer seeing that old traumatised nail plate and I can apply nail varnish so I can wear my flip flops.
It’s a good example of reconstruction being used properly. Not just for appearance, but to stabilise a traumatised nail while it regrows.
The reconstruction isn’t trapping moisture, the distal edge stays clear as the new nail advances and the matrix isn’t continuing to produce distorted nail long-term.
If you have suffered a trauma to your nails and want an appointment please give us a ring 01684 569889