The big toe should be rested and preferably relieved during the first 12-24 hours.

The pain should be less when the matricictomy is done because it destroys the nerve endings in the nail bed.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen may be used for pain.

The dressing should be changed within 24-48 hours and normal walking can be fully resumed.

You should expect sterile exudate from the nail bed for two to three weeks.

If lateral nail fold infection is suspected, an oral antibiotic that treats the common skin flora should be prescribed (e.g., cephalexin, 500 mg orally four times daily for five to seven days).

The granulation tissue and indentation sometimes created by nail removal will gradually resolve to a more normal appearance.

Rarely, permanent nail plate loss, nail plate dystrophy, or pyogenic granuloma may occur.