Remember from earlier this year, that I had issues with two nails on the same foot? One discolored and another cracked from being bumped? The good news is that the discolored one has resolved itself, but not so much the cracked one.
However, the cracked one broke again, and a significant piece of it came off in my hand. I promptly trotted myself to the doctor, who said there was no infection, and I could go to a podiatrist who would take off the broken third of the nail all the way down to the "root" (or perhaps the whole nail, the podiatrist's decision) and I can wait for it to "hopefully" grow back, perhaps smooth enough that it is even with the remaining two thirds of the nail. Or he may decide to remove the whole nail in hopes that it will eventually grow back in one piece. Or, a third option: just leave it and it eventually should grow back on its own, though perhaps somewhat lumpy and bumpy.
I inquired if there was a medical necessity for podiatrist intervention, or if perhaps continuing what I've done at the nail salon for the past year would be OK, as long as there is no infection. That approach would maintain the appearance of an intact nail. He was fine with the nail salon option, which may or may not result in a smooth natural nail underneath. Since the nail may or may not grow out right, even with the podiatrist treating it, it's a gamble, and I decided go with the nail salon option. My wife is OK with that, knowing I will be getting regular pedicures and wearing nail polish for some time to come.
So I trotted off to the nail salon. And they took care of the issue...too bad insurance doesn't cover it! But my wife is right: the thought of a missing nail (or part of one) just isn't very appetizing even if only for "a number of months." Especially if there is a satisfactory "cure."
Mandy
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