Nail growth measurement employing nail indentation--an experimental follow-up study of nail growth in situ.
Nail growth was studied over 20 weeks in five healthy volunteers by indenting eight nails in each subject with a dental burr. The indentations were drilled in the middle part of the lunula with the proximal edge of the indentation 1 mm from the cuticle. Their volume was measured by filling them with an elastic two-component material immediately after indentation and 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks thereafter. Nail growth as reflected by the volume changes of the indentations could be followed for 8-12 weeks in the thumb, the middle finger and the second toe and for 20 weeks in the big toe. The most rapid outgrowth, 8-12 weeks, occurred in the second toe and middle finger. The decrease in the volume of the indentations by approximately 30-35%, as they travelled from the lunula towards the distal end of the nail plate, also reflects nail growth from the nail bed. This study has shown that indentation of the nails and the measurement of their volume changes provides a reliable and simple method for the study of nail growth.
Heikkilä
H
H
Department of Dermatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Stubb
S
S
Kiistala
U
U
D000328:Adult; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000254:growth & development*