Nail correction brace
A nail correction brace, also called orthonyxia brace or simply nail brace, is a medical device used to correct misalignments of fingernails or toenails in order to prevent the nails from growing in. Treatment is usually carried out by a podiatrist , a trained podiatrist or the family doctor. The latter can also prescribe the nail braces. Operations such as nail wedge excision can sometimes be avoided.
The nail correction brace can be made of steel wire or plastic . There are currently around 15 different types. The brace itself is inserted into the nail fold on both sides and fixed in the middle of the nail. The duration of treatment varies according to the severity and averages around six months. During this time, the braces can be relocated with little effort, depending on the nail growth. The nail is held above the nail fold on both sides as it grows. This prevents it from growing in again. The brace does not represent any hindrance for sports (including swimming) etc.
The first known patent is from Edward E. Stedman , 1873, Ohio ( USA ).
Treatment costs
Treatment with the nail correction brace is not included in the aids catalog. This means that the assumption of costs for such a treatment is still an individual decision (without prejudicial effect) by the respective health insurance company. The assumption of costs for this treatment varies considerably from state to state. One of the major health insurance companies is currently completely refusing to cover the treatment costs and is referring its policyholders to the operation. With other health insurances, the reimbursement of costs currently begins with a third of the treatment costs (as a fixed price for the entire treatment) and continues until the treatment costs are fully reimbursed.
The installation of a nail correction brace is a medical service. The State Social Court of Berlin-Brandenburg decided in 2017 (judgment L 9 KR 299/16) that a health insurance company must also reimburse treatment by a non-medical service provider (here medical foot care) if no suitable doctor can be found. Since the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians could not name a suitable doctor, the LSG assessed this as a 'system deficiency'. The Federal Social Court (BSG) in Kassel has however overturned this judgment (AZ: B 1 KR 34/17 R).
See also
Web links
- Part 1 - Options for treating ingrown toenails ..., BfO yearbook 2005, page 24ff (PDF file; 4.00 MB)
- Part 2 - Options for treating ingrown toenails ..., BfO yearbook 2006, page 28ff (PDF file; 3.94 MB)
- Doctors newspaper on the judgment of the LSG Berlin-Brandenburg
- DER FUSS - specialist journal for podiatry and foot care on the judgment of the BSG
