Retronychia

Background: Retronychia is an inflammatory process of the proximal nailfold produced by the backward ingrowth of the nail plate.

Etiology: It appears secondary to proximal nail plate rupture induced principally by wearing tight shoes, or related to a traumatic origin such as sports or dance.

Clinical Findings: In the acute form the proximal nail fold appears painful, with signs of inflammation, whereas in the chronic state, besides the inflammation, the nail plate appears yellowish and thickened. It affects predominantly the great toe, sometimes bilaterally, and also occasionally the fingers. Sometimes it is accompanied by the formation of granulation tissue near the proximal nail fold.

Treatment: Nail avulsion is the treatment of choice and it is curative.

Comments: Retronychia may be an underdiagnosed disease, with only a few reports found in the english, french, spanish and asian literature. A review on this subject is presented, illustrated with clinical and ultrasound figures.