Age: 24
Sex: Male
Height: \~165 cm
Weight: \~54 kg
Medications: None
Smoking status: Non-smoker
Medical history: No known chronic conditions


Hi, I’m looking for some guidance regarding my big toe after surgery.

  
I had a subungual exostosis (bony growth under the nail) removed on June 25, 2025. 

This developed after trauma (a heavy gate fell on my toe). I delayed treatment initially, and it eventually formed a growth with a granuloma before surgery.


The surgeon removed the bony growth, but the entire nail was not removed, only the affected portion was treated.


Duration & location of issue:
- Duration: \~8–9 months post-op
- Location: Big toe (distal nail/nail bed)


Timeline:
- Before surgery: Raised lesion under nail with granuloma
\~1 week post-op: Nail bed appeared relatively flat
- Now (8–9 months later):
Nail is growing forward
There is a raised area under the distal nail
The tip has thick, keratin-like buildup
The raised area feels:
firm, but not as hard as bone
slightly mobile
completely painless


Current symptoms:
No pain
No redness or swelling
No discharge
Able to wear normal shoes


Concerns:
It looks like the nail is growing over a bump, rather than the surface flattening. I’m unsure whether this represents:
- normal scar tissue / post-surgical remodeling.
- nail dystrophy
- or worse,possible recurrence of the exostosis


Questions:
1) Is this type of persistent raised nail bed normal this long after surgery?


2) Does this appear more consistent with scar tissue vs recurrence?


3) Should I expect further flattening over time, or has healing likely plateaued?


4) At what point would imaging (e.g., X-ray) or revision be recommended?


Photos attached:
Before surgery
1 week post-op
Current (multiple angles)

24M big toenail deformity 8–9 months after subungual exostosis removal ; normal healing or abnormal?