Crazy Bony Growths Under the Toenails

Osteochondromas

Have you noticed your big toenail growing funky? Have you noticed a pain or bump at the end of your big toe? Is your nail changing but you don't think its fungus? There could be a really easy answer and solution for these symptoms!!

A lot of times people will walk around their entire life with big toenails that look and feel different than the rest of the toenails on their feet. If your big toenail has always been thickened or is painful when you touch it you could be suffering from what is called a subungal exostosis.

What is a subungal exostosis??

A subungal exostosis is a growth that most commonly occurs on the distal phalanx of your big toe, or at the end of your big toe directly under the nail. This type of lesion is a combination of both bone and cartilage and usually can easily be seen on X-rays.

How do I know if I have a subungal exostosis?

Many times these lesions are asymptomatic, but if you are having pain in your toenail, or your toenail grows weird then you need to have it looked at.

Most of the time these lesions are completly benign but because they cause discomfort the treatment for them is most often excision.

If they are disturbing the nail bed and causing your nail to grow funny then a podiatrist can easily remove the growth in an out patient surgery setting. The recovery from a surgery like this is quick and easy. Afterwards your nail will usually grow much more normal than before and be pain free!! So dont wait, if you are sick of your funny looking toenails have them checked out. You could be walking around with painful ugly toenails when there is an easy fix!