Nail Surgery at Ace Health Centre on the Gold Coast — evidence-based care from our experienced team. Book online or call 07 5572 8855.
Nail Surgery After-Care
Thank you for trusting us to perform your nail surgery. Here is all of the information you will need for your Nail Surgery After-Care
Our Guarantee
Although there is an extremely high success rate of toenail surgery, unfortunately, we cannot guarantee it will be 100% successful. That said, if it does re-occur, we are happy to redo the procedure again for free!
Your review and follow-up appointments may be included in your initial cost. Please ask our friendly reception staff if you are not sure.
Nail Surgery After-Care Instructions
After the procedure, we will aim to get you back in for a review appointment within the next 3 days post-procedure. You will then be reviewed 4 weeks after the first review. We will then review it as needed until it is fully healed.
If you have any questions or concerns at any point please feel free to contact us.
Dressing
We ask that you leave the dressing on and dry until your review appointment unless instructed otherwise. If you have bleeding come through the dressing you should add to the dressing and not remove the one applied by your health care professional.
Pain
The anesthetic may last around 1-4 hours. After that, we suggest using paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief if your medical history allows. Please consult your pharmacist to confirm you are ok to take them. We suggest avoiding taking aspirin. You may contact your GP if you wish to have stronger pain medication.
Anti-biotics
Antibiotics are not usually needed unless an infection is present after surgery. If you wish to get a prescription as pre-caution please contact your GP. This is not usually needed.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours due to its blood thinning properties to avoid bleeding.
Activity
You can get back to walking and general activity the day after the procedure.
Footwear
Try to wear shoes that do not put pressure on the toe surgery was performed. Open shoes are the best. Please wear socks to keep your toes and dressing clean.
Bleeding
Please try and keep your foot elevated for the rest of the day to avoid bleeding. If bleeding occurs please add to the dressing and do not remove the one applied via your healthcare professional.
Exercise
Avoid sports or exercise for 48 hours post-surgery
Healing
Your toe may take 3-10 weeks to fully heal. Until fully healed a dressing should always be applied to reduce the risk of infection
Important
If any of these occur contact your Podiatrist or present to Emergency at the hospital:
– pain in the calf or thigh
– excessive pain
– Anaesthetic is still present after 12 hours
– Fever or night sweats
Post 1st review consult care
Bathe The Toe
We recommend soaking your foot in warm salt water before removing the dressing. This helps the bandage to not stick to the wound. We recommend using 1 small hand of salt to 500ml of warm water. Bath it in the water for around 2-5 mins. Once removed pat the area dry with a clean, soft towel.
Dress The Wound
You would have been given Betadine, bandaid strip dressing and medical dressing tape. Once the toe is dry apply the betadine. Proceed to cut a small piece of the band-aid strip over the wound. Then seal any open areas by applying the tape over the dressing. Your podiatrist will have shown you how to do this. See the images below for how to apply your dressing.
How often do I change the dressing?
Re-dress the toe each day. If it becomes wet or dirty at any point, then change the dressing as soon as possible following the steps above.
Exercise
You may go back to exercising after your first review if your health professional has said this is okay.
Footwear
Try and wear shoes with lots of room in the toe box, or open-toe shoes. The more pressure that is put on the toe the longer it will take to heal. We recommended having at least 1 finger width between the end of your toe and the end of your shoes. This should be measured when your shoes and on, laced up and you are standing.
Getting it wet
We recommend keeping the wound dry for the first 2 weeks. You may then get it wet in the shower or swimming. Make sure you redress the toe as described after.
Next Review
We shall get you back again 4 weeks later to review the toe. From there we shall decide on the next steps.
Contact us
If any signs of infection occur (swelling, redness, hot toe, fever, sweating, pus). If there is any extreme pain or if you have any other concerns or questions about your Nail Surgery then please contact us.
You can take a photo of your toe and email a picture if you wish for us to have a look at it at any point.
Remember, these are general suggestions for Nail Surgery, and it’s crucial to follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider. If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor.
What to Expect From Nail Surgery at Ace Health Centre
Patients who book Nail Surgery with our team get a clinic-grade assessment, a clear plain-language plan, and a structured progression rather than a one-off appointment. Furthermore, we coordinate care across podiatry, physiotherapy, dietetics and exercise physiology where relevant, so you are not bouncing between clinics. Authoritative information on this topic is also available from Healthdirect Australia if you would like to read further before booking. As a result, you walk in informed and walk out with a plan you understand.
For more on what we do, see our main service page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nail Surgery
Do I need a referral to book? No referral is needed for our private services. Patients with a GP Chronic Disease Management plan can access bulk-billed sessions where eligible.
Is it covered by private health funds? Most private health extras with the relevant cover offer a rebate. We HICAPS-process on the spot so you walk out knowing your gap.
How soon can I be seen? We keep same-week and same-day slots open for urgent presentations. Online booking shows live availability across all clinicians.
Book Your Nail Surgery Appointment
Ready to get started? Call (07) 5572 6222 or book online. In addition, new patients can use our no-gap initial consult — straightforward, no surprises.
About Nail Surgery at Ace Health Centre
Nail Surgery is one of the services our Broadbeach team provides on the Gold Coast. Our podiatrists and physiotherapists tailor care to your goals and recovery timeline.
Why patients choose Nail Surgery at Ace Health Centre
Same-day appointments, evidence-based protocols and clear progress tracking. Call 07 5572 8855 to book.
