Pincer Nail Deformity: Clinical Characteristics, Causes, and Managements

Biomed Res Int. 2020 Apr 13:2020:2939850. doi: 10.1155/2020/2939850. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

A pincer nail is a common nail deformity of toenails and is characterized by nail thickening and nail plate deformation. It often causes severe pain for patients. We perform a thorough literature review and an additional review of pertinent clinical cases, aiming to provide a comprehensive review of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical classification, differential diagnosis, and treatment of pincer nail deformity (PND). Understanding the clinical characteristics and treatment progress of a pincer nail will provide clinicians with comprehensive and evidence-based information about PND, thus allowing the selection of an appropriate treatment according to the patient's request and the clinical manifestations of PND, which should maximize patient satisfaction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Nails, Malformed* / diagnosis
  • Nails, Malformed* / metabolism
  • Nails, Malformed* / therapy
  • Pain Management*
  • Pain* / diagnosis
  • Pain* / pathology