Conservative treatment of onychocryptosis with corrective systems: a series of clinical cases

Background. Onychocryptosis is damage to the surrounding tissue caused by the nail. The etiopathogenesis of the disease remains poorly understood. Both external factors (poor nail hygiene, tight shoes, mechanical nail trauma) and internal factors (congenital anomalies of the nail plate and bone structures of the phalanges) are believed to play a role in its development. The epidemiological data of the disease are also not fully understood. It is known that onychocryptosis most often develops on the big toes. The clinical presentation of onychocryptosis depends on the severity of the disease, but the main complaint of patients at all stages of the disease is pain, which most often prompts them to seek medical attention. Swelling of the affected lateral nail fold is also characteristic of the clinical picture of onychocryptosis, as well as the presence of discharge and/or oozing in later stages of the disease. Diagnosis of onychocryptosis is usually straightforward and is based on the patient's medical history and clinical presentation. In most cases, diagnosis is made without the use of additional diagnostic methods. Currently, there are numerous approaches to correcting onychocryptosis, including both conservative and surgical methods. Among the conservative treatments for onychocryptosis, orthonyxia stands out. This method can be effective in treating the disease, ensuring minimal impact on the patient's quality of life and not requiring a lengthy rehabilitation period after treatment. Other practical advantages of orthonyxia include its virtually complete painlessness and the ability to adjust it during treatment. Orthonyxia is a relatively new method. Despite this, it is gradually finding its place in surgical, orthopedic, and dermatological practice, as evidenced both in clinical medicine and in scientific publications.

Results. This article presents clinical cases of successful orthonyxia in correcting mild to moderate onychocryptosis. It also highlights the potential role of orthonyxia as the most optimal treatment option for onychocryptosis in the early stages. 

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