Onychogryphosis

Also known as 'Ram's Nails', these are nails that grow abnormally, often into long, hardened and yellow calluses. This can be discomforting and particularly painful when wearing closed-in shoes.

APPEARANCE
Yellow, hardened and mouldy. The toes grow abnormally often curling inwards or bending to the left/right, as particularly shown with the toe at the lower picture,  hence the name 'Ram's Nails'.

CAUSES
One quick reasoning is irregular trimming of the nails. However, wearing tight shoes and physical injury can also affect the toenails. Other diseases can be diabetes, decreased blood circulation, vascular disease, or fungal infection.

WILL THIS AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?
With long nails, it could possibly. During a pedicure, the therapist will need to work carefully, in case of any injury inflicted on both the client and themselves. In this case, buffing could be the best way to treat these nails. This will shorten the nail, and also provides healthier growth in the future.

TREATMENTS/POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
The only best, complete method is to surgically remove the toenail/toenails, as it will be difficult and long to reduce it back to normal. But if the client chooses not to have surgery, then buffing it regularly is the best option. But as mentioned before, progression will be much slower.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.remedyland.com/2013/11/onychogryphosis-rams-horn-nails-treatment.html

http://www.epainassist.com/joint-pain/foot-pain/onychogryphosis-or-rams-horn-nails

http://www.footvitals.com/toenails/onychogryphosis.html