Assessment of the effectiveness of podiatric nail cleaning in terms of patient health and quality of life: prospective observational study

Objective Onychodystrophies constitute the most common nail diseases at any age. The condition is chronic and requires treatment due to the patient’s discomfort. Destructive changes to the nail apparatus are unaesthetic, often physically painful and socially embarrassing. The aim of the study was to focus on to evaluate the efficacy of nail cleaning with the use of milling cutters in improving the clinical picture of the nails, regardless of systemic comorbidities. Methods This prospective observational study involved 50 patients diagnosed with the pathological condition of toenail dystrophy. The research was conducted between June 2021 and April 2024. The study used a method of cleaning the toenails with specialized sterile tools and milling cutters using a podiatric milling machine. Patients enrolled in the research project did not receive any other additional general or local treatment in the evaluated area. Procedures and follow-up visits were performed every 4 weeks until complete healing. Attention was also paid to the predispositions contributing to the occurrence of toenail plate deformities, as well as comparing the effectiveness of the therapeutic method used in terms of the type of defect, age and gender of the probands. Results 74.0% were women. The mean age was 41.80 ± 18.28 years. Nail plate degeneration (onychodystrophy) dominated among the types of nail deformity (70.0%). The mean length of therapy was 4.75 ± 2.96 months (ranging from 1 to 15 months). The predominant length of therapy was 4–5 months (30%). The evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy in the analyzed group amounted to 8.88 ± 1.26. Conclusion Cleaning with sterile milling cutters was associated with a reduction in pain and an improvement in the clinical condition of the nail apparatus. The therapy allows for a safe and conservative approach to treating toenail dystrophy, improving patients’ overall wellbeing and quality of life.