A common question before having ingrown toenail surgery is will I need crutches? When can I walk? The answer is you can walk right away when you have ingrown toenail surgery. Typical reasons for not being able to walk following surgery have to do with work done on the bone. With ingrown toenail surgery no bone work is performed so you are able to walk right away and yes it will be pain free. The one caveat is do not wear tight shoes after your ingrown toenail surgery. The Podiatrist should be able to provide you with a surgical shoe but you want a shoe with plenty of room for your toe to fit.