nail avulsion

Last reviewed 01/2018

Nail avulsion injuries involve removal of the whole or part of the nail from its bed. As long as the germinal matrix remains intact, there is a good possibility of regrowth.

If the nail is available, it should be resited on its bed to act as a splint. If the bed is split, meticulous realignment of the wound is recommended. Loss of tissue from the nail bed can be made good with partial thickness skin grafts.