Open to podiatrists ONLY. This is a practical training course using cadaver foot and ankle.

Whilst the majority of cases of onychocryptosis can be successfully dealt with by either conservative means or phenol ablation and alternative methods of matrical ablation including laser, there remain the recalcitrant cases.  Frequently, profound granuloma can become organised leading to repetitive penetration of the nail margin, hence chronic onychocryptosis.  Classically, this would be treated in a hospital under a general anaesthetic and required an overnight stay. 

Although the Care Quality Commission have approved incisional nail surgery carried out by suitably qualified podiatrists in their own practices, traditionally, the only way to learn the techniques has been for the practitioner to attach themselves to a colleague already utilising the procedures.

Now the Institute of Podiatrists is proud to offer a ‘hands-on’ course using fresh human cadaveric feet.

The course will include lectures, and demonstrations, will deal with consent, pre and post-operative information and will be heavily weighted to practical experience of techniques, incision placement and suturing focusing on Winograd partial excision with partial matrixectomy, Frost partial excision with partial matrixectomy and Zadeks total excision with matrixectomy.

Course Schedule

09.00   Registration and coffee

09.15   Course opening

09.30    Nail Anatomy and Pathology (rapid PowerPoint with particular reference to IGT)

10.00    Revision of LA and Antibiotic Tx

10.30    Coffee

11.00  Suture science including different materials, techniques demonstration via CC TV

11.30  Practical suture practice on gauze / analogues by students ,  supervised

12.30    Incisional nail surgery techniques, discussion, demonstration by tutor on Cadaver 

13.15   Lunch

14.00   Incision and Closure student practice on Cadavers, supervised

16.00    Post operative dressings and care       

16.30  Q&A, Certification and optional reflective logbooks

Course tutors

Bill Liggins trained at the Birmingham School of Chiropody and started his career as a private practitioner, additionally carrying out sessions in the Midlands NHS.  Now a retired Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, Bill is a qualified teacher and has lectured widely on many subjects including local anaesthesia, nationally and internationally, particularly to Institute members but also to medical organisations.

Martin Harvey is a consultant Podiatrist at two Birmingham Hospitals dealing with both NHS and private patients. He also has a background in specialist NHS high risk podiatry clinics as well as having his own private podiatry practice in the West Midlands. He is a keen educator lecturing and teaching on specialist subjects to Podiatrists in the UK and abroad including having presented in mainland Europe and Canada.