Clinical Evidence & Research
The Evidence Behind Nail Bracing
NailLift is based on the principles of orthonyxia — the mechanical correction of involuted and ingrown nails using a nail brace.
Orthonyxia has been evaluated in peer-reviewed clinical research, including randomized clinical trials, prospective studies, comparisons with surgical treatment, and studies examining recurrence following treatment.
In addition to this broader body of research, NailLift has been evaluated through device-specific clinical performance data collected by JPS in Japan.
Below, we distinguish between independent published research on nail bracing and NailLift-specific clinical findings.
Published Clinical Research
Orthonyxia vs. Partial Matrix Excision
Kruijff et al., 2008
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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A prospective randomized clinical trial compared orthonyxia with partial matrix excision in 105 patients with 109 ingrown toenails, with observer-blinded follow-up at 12 months.
At 12 months, the difference in recurrence between orthonyxia and surgery was not statistically significant.
Orthonyxia was also associated with reduced postoperative morbidity and faster recovery.
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Study: Partial Matrix Excision or Orthonyxia for Ingrowing Toenails
Kruijff S, et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2008;206(1):148–153.
Nail Bracing vs. Winograd Surgery
Güler et al., 2015
The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery
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A study of 159 patients compared nail bracing with the Winograd surgical technique.
Recurrence occurred in:
8.1% — Nail brace group
9.4% — Winograd surgery group
The difference in recurrence was not statistically significant.
Patients receiving nail bracing also experienced:
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Faster return to work
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Higher patient satisfaction
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A non-surgical treatment approach
Patient satisfaction was 94.6% in the nail brace group compared with 82.4% in the surgical group.
Study: Nail Braces as an Alternative Treatment for Ingrown Toenails: Results From a Comparison With the Winograd Technique
Güler O, et al. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2015;54(4):620–624.
Prospective Study of Acute & Chronic Ingrown Toenails
Wang et al., 2020
Dermatologic Surgery
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Researchers prospectively evaluated nail bracing for both acute inflamed and chronic dystrophic ingrown toenails.
The study included 96 affected nail sides.
Excellent or fair clinical outcomes were reported in:
80.9% at 1 month
94.9% at 3 months
100% at 6 months
The reported recurrence rate was 7.4%, with an average follow-up period of approximately 282 days.
Study: Efficacy of Nail Braces for Acute and Chronic Ingrown Toenails: A Prospective Study
Wang HH, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2020.
Longer-Term Recurrence Following Nail Bracing
Wang & Huang, 2022
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
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This retrospective study evaluated 238 patients with 411 treated nail sides.
For patients with recurrence data available, the average brace-free follow-up period was approximately 433 days.
Recurrence was observed in:
12.2% of patients
7.7% of treated nail sides
The researchers also identified factors associated with treatment difficulty and recurrence. In particular, underlying foot bone deformity was associated with increased recurrence risk.
These findings are important because they demonstrate that long-term outcomes depend not only on correction of the nail but also on underlying biomechanical and anatomical factors.
Study: Risk Factors for Poorly Controlled and Recurrence-Prone Ingrown Toenails Treated With Nail Braces: A Retrospective Observational Study of 238 Cases
Wang HH, Huang YC. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2022;88:636–640.
NailLift-Specific Clinical Findings
In addition to the published literature on orthonyxia, clinical performance information specific to the NailLift system is available to qualified healthcare practitioners upon request.