Ingrown toenails often are associated with athletes or people who wear tight shoes, but they actually can affect anyone with toenails. An ingrown toenail causes pain, swelling and in some cases infection, so it should be treated promptly. Knee pain may occur with ingrown toe nails due to a resulting infection or strain.
Identification
A normal toenail grows straight from under the skin to the surface. An ingrown toenail grows into the corners of the toes. Ingrown toenails are caused by an injury or improper care. Sometimes, they may occur as a result of your toenails being too large or thick for your toes. The first sign of an ingrown toenail normally is pain in the area when wearing closed-in shoes, followed by skin inflammation in the ingrown area and the nail appearing to be growing into the skin. This condition can be treated at home; however, in some cases you will need to see a physician.
Infection
Continuous friction or pressure on the ingrown toenail can cause it to break through the skin, leading to bleeding, which sets up the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to grow. If the nail continues to grow into the skin or has punctured the skin, you may develop an infection. Left untreated, the infection can spread from the toe into the bone, according to PubMed Health. This can cause pain in the knee if the infection spreads to more bones.
Strain
An ingrown toenail is extremely painful in some cases and may cause you to limp to keep pressure off the affected foot. Although this may seem to work as a means of temporary pain relief, you may develop pain in your back, knees or hips due to walking in this awkward positioning. The pain caused in your knee from this may be on the opposite leg due to extra pressure being put on the tendons in that knee.
Considerations
If you have an ingrown toenail, treat it before it becomes infected or breaks through the skin. Soak your foot three to four times a day in warm water and dry it thoroughly after every soak. This will cause the nail to soften, allowing you to clip it easily. Also, place dental floss under the nail on both sides to loosen the nail from the corners of the skin on the toe. If you develop puss, redness, swelling or sharp pains in your toe or notice these symptoms in conjunction with leg or knee pain, seek medical care immediately to prevent gangrene.
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