A type of nail dystrophy, onychogryphosis is the rampant growth of the toenails — most often the big toe. Also called ram’s horn nails, one or more toenails grow considerably faster than the others. Onychogryphosis describes the claw-like hypertrophy and thickening of the entire nail plate.
The afflicted nail frequently exhibits discoloration and hardness.
Onychogryphosis is characterized by an opaque, yellow-brown thickening of the nail plate with elongation and increased curvature. Sometimes the nail growth curves back into the skin and causes an ingrown toenail.
Dr. Bob Baravaria DPM, FACFAS is a Board-Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist. He is an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine and serves as Director of University Foot and Ankle Institute.
Dr. Baravarian has been involved in athletics his entire life and played competitive tennis in high school and college. He has an interest in sports medicine, arthritis therapy, and trauma/reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He is also fluent in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Farsi, and Hebrew),