Nuh EVİN, Amir Arsalan ALLAFI, Merve Kaplanlı SARIDOĞAN, Melih Kerem SİFİL, Selma Sönmez ERGÜN
Journal of Bionic Memory - 2026;6(2):64-72
Aim: To evaluate foot function (Foot Function Index) and cosmetic satisfaction before surgery and at 12 months after surgical excision in patients with onychomycosis and subungual hyperkeratosis. Method: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent surgical excision of hypertrophic mycotic toe nails with subungual hyperkeratosis between March 2018 and January 2023 and completed 12 months of follow-up. We assessed pain, disability, and activity limitation using the Foot Function Index (FFI) preoperatively and at 12 months. We recorded cosmetic satisfaction on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Eleven patients (3 men, 8 women; mean age 60.6+/-13.9 years) underwent excision of 31 affected nails (mean 2.8+/-1.5 nails/patient). All wounds healed without complications, and all patients resumed wearing socks and regular shoes by postoperative week 2. Mean FFI pain, disability, and activity limitation scores decreased from 2.4+/-0.87, 2.9+/-0.76, and 3.4+/-1.07 preoperatively to 0.3+/-0.2, 0.2+/-0.2, and 0.0+/-0 at 12 months (all p < 0.001). Satisfaction increased from 1.5+/-0.7 to 5.0+/-0.5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Surgical excision of severe hypertrophic mycotic toenails produced large improvements in foot function and high cosmetic satisfaction at 12 months.
