Sandra joined me as a part time receptionist in 2011. At the time I was in the process of expanding my small ‘one-man band. ‘Practice and to begin with she worked in a tiny waiting room which consisted of one small desk, a phone and a diary and no real space for anything else. Sandra patiently stayed with me as we demolished the surgery and worked in the cramped conditions of a portacabin for the next 9 months. When we finally moved into our new purpose-built Podiatry surgery, she was instrumental together with Simone(receptionist) in setting up the staff room, organising the reception area and eventually transitioning us from paper diaries to a digital practice management diary.

As the Basildon podiatry team grew Sandra was able to implement systems, support the team and serve the patients in her professional and caring manner. Sandra progressed to become a footwear consultant who then became an expert in scanning feet and fitting Patients with shoes and orthotics.

Over the years as a team we had some good quality times outside of work, meeting for meals, days out and the odd show. Although Sandra worked at Basildon podiatry, she was and is our friend and so it is with sadness that we are all having to say goodbye to her. Unfortunately, she is leaving us to care for her husband who was suddenly taken ill earlier this year.

I would like to wish her on behalf of the Basildon Podiatry team and all our Patients a fond farewell with loads of love and say that we will all miss you and hope that you will be able to stay in touch with us. Personally I am so grateful and thankful that you joined me at Basildon Podiatry just as we were expanding and helped it to progress and become the centre of excellence in looking after feet that it is today.

Thank you, Sandra.

If your nails are:

Then Wilde-Pedique toe nail reconstruction is the solution for you!

How is the new nail made?

LCN Wilde-Pedique involves the construction of a new nail using a resin gel. After preparation of the nail and bed, the gel is used to fill grooves and gaps on the nail bed and cured (hardened) using harmless UV light, further gel layers are applied to create a nail shape. Finally a top seal is applied.

The result

A natural looking, protective gel nail which is flexible and can be trimmed and filed. The gel is non-porous so nail varnish and remover can be used without affecting the gel. You can swim and bath as normal. If you have a fungal nail; anti-fungal treatments can be applied around the artificial nail and under it's free edge.

Who is it suitable for?

Men, women and teenagers can benefit. Its adhesive properties mean that good results can be achieved even on calloused layers of skin or where there is a fifth or more of your own natural nail to reconstruct a new nail. Although the gel will not adhere to skin alone, gels can still be constructed to last for a day for special occasions e.g. for a wedding day. The area must be oil free and dry, free from any bacterial infection and there should be no bleeding or weeping.

Is it safe?

As a professional podiatry practice, we always take a full medical history and assess for suitability. Our HCPC registered podiatrists are trained in the application of the gels. The high quality materials used are hypoallergenic, odourless, anti-fungal and contain no aggressive primers or chemicals.

How long will the gel nail last?

4 - 6 weeks with some lasting up to 4 months. We do not recommend leaving the nail on for more than 8 weeks Very occasionally the gel nail only lasts for a short time, however, the nail usually comes off whole but the gel nail is perfectly shaped for your nailbed and you can reapply at home using a hypoallergenic nail glue. The gel nail is a no-soak off gel and will grow out together with your natural nail. The more natural nail there is on the nail bed, the longer the gel will last. A deep nail bed is better than a flat/shallow one. Your lifestyle and the way you walk will also contribute to the time the gel nail will last.

How is it removed?

The gel is no-soak off. It will grow out with your own nail as it grows, it can be trimmed away but you can revisit us to have it painlessly removed.

What people are saying:

My visit was for nail reconstruction on my big toe.
Really impressed with the result.
Can't wait to wear my sandals on holiday :)
Staff are really friendly too...would definitely recommend.

LP May 2018

We’ve had amazing results with significant reduction in pain and discomfort and an improvement in the quality of life of many of our patients.

Call us for further information and get ready to show
your feet off this spring and summer!

If you struggle to take the first few steps as you get out of bed then you probably have plantar fasciitis

There are many reasons for heel pain such as trapped nerves or a fractured heel. However the majority of heel pain sufferers that we see in our podiatry clinics have plantar fasciitis.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Read more: Do you have Pain in the Heels in the Morning?

Is your foot pain A RIGHT PAIN IN THE HEEL?

let our Podiatrists heal your heels

• Do your heels hurt when you get out of bed?
• Do you dread taking those first few steps?
• Do you have a dull ache in your heels and arches throughout the day making you feel miserable?
• Have you tried lots of treatments but not quite got rid of all that heel pain?
• Would you like to significantly improve the quality of your life and get back to doing all the things you love to do without being limited by your heel pain?

Read more: Is your foot pain A RIGHT PAIN IN THE HEEL?

Podiatry is the field of medicine that specialises in assessing, diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot and lower limb. A podiatrist can also give you advice about foot care, gait analysis and on the best footwear for you and your family.

When do I need to see a podiatrist?

In many cases, following our self-care tips will help the problem improve. If it doesn’t, it’s best to seek professional help.

You should visit a podiatrist if:

Your feet hurt – they will assess your condition and advise you on the best treatment.

Your symptoms are getting worse – a problem isn’t improving naturally, or within three weeks of self-care.

You want to prevent foot problems – a regular foot check can help keep your feet healthy.

How do I get an appointment with a podiatrist?

There are different ways to see a podiatrist, and may depend on where you live:

Go through your GP

They may be able to refer you for an NHS podiatry appointment. Or in some areas, you may be able to self-refer.

Visit your local independent practice podiatrist

It’s important to find a professional who is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is the UK-wide regulatory body.

Use the tool on our website to find a podiatrist near you: https://www.scpod.org/find-a-podiatrist

The good news is that there are some easy things you can do to help prevent any issues becoming more serious.

Heel pain

Can be debilitating, affecting walking and posture. The most common cause is plantar fasciitis, when the ligament that runs under the heel becomes swollen.

Who gets it?

Can affect anyone at any age, but is most common in those in their 40s or in athletes.

What can I do myself to help prevent or manage it?

• Wear well-fitting shoes, with good heel cushioning and arch support.
• Avoid walking or exercising on hard ground.
• Rest regularly and try not to walk or run too fast.
• Wear a raised heel (no more than 6-10 mm higher than normal).

Athlete’s foot

A fungal infection that commonly affects dry, flaky areas, like the heel – but can also occur on moist areas of skin, such as between the toes.

Who gets it?

Anyone. Walking barefoot around swimming pools or wearing the same shoes continuously may make you more likely to pick it up.

What can I do myself to help prevent or manage it?

• If it’s affecting dry areas, ask your pharmacist for an anti-fungal cream or spray.
• If it’s in moist areas, wash your feet in cold water then dry them thoroughly – dab, don’t rub.
• Avoid using moisturiser or powders in between the toes.
• Applying surgical spirit can help reduce moisture, but only use on unbroken skin.
• If it is persistent, see a podiatrist.

Bunions

A bony lump on the side of your foot where the big toe excessively angles towards the second toe.

Who gets it?

Although anyone can get a bunion, they tend to be more common in women.

What can I do myself to help prevent or manage it?

• Give your toes room to move by opting for wider shoes.
• If you wear high-heeled shoes, do so in moderation.
• If you want to wear a heel every day, keep heel heights to 4cm or less – and vary your heel heights from day to day.
• Choose shoes with laces, or a strap or buckle over the instep.
• If the bunion becomes inflamed or troublesome, see a podiatrist.

Corns and calluses

Hard, thickened areas of skin, caused in response to rubbing, friction or pressure on the skin.

Who gets it?

They can affect anyone, but may be caused by badly fitting shoes or a biomechanical irregularity in your feet.

What can I do myself to help prevent or manage it?

• Gently rub the area with a pumice stone or foot file when you are in the bath.
• Moisturising cream may help soften the thickened skin.

Ingrowing toenails

Develops when the side of a toenail pierces through the flesh of your toe, making it red, inflamed and painful. It most commonly affects the big toe.

Who gets it?

Anyone, but particularly people who cut their nails incorrectly leaving small spikes of nail behind. Sporty people are more prone because they are likely to get moist, sweaty feet – this can make the skin around the toenails softer and easier for a nail to pierce.

What can I do myself to help prevent or manage it?

• Cut your nails properly – straight across, making sure not to trim them too low at the edge or down the side. Leave the corner of the nail so it’s visible above the skin. Doing it after a bath or shower is helpful, when your nails are softer.
• Avoid moist feet by rotating your shoes and choosing well-fitting socks and shoes made from natural materials.
• At home get your feet out and let the air get to your toes as much as possible!

Follow our simple steps to help to keep your feet in tip top shape and reduce your risk of developing any problems.

1. Wash your feet everyday Use warm, soapy water and take care to dry them well, especially between your toes – this will help to prevent fungal infections, such as Athlete’s foot.

2. Do regular calf stretches. Get into a routine of doing these every day to keep your feet supple.

3. Pay attention to your socks Wear well-fitting socks and change them every day to avoid sweaty feet.

4. Trim your toenails Use proper nail clippers – and cut them straight across, not too short and not down at the corners, as this can lead to ingrowing toenails.

5. Keep them moisturised. If the skin on your feet is dry, put moisturiser on your feet before you go to bed, avoiding between the toes (this can lead to fungal infections).

6. Wear the right footwear it’s important to make sure your shoes are the right size for your feet. Buy footwear in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest. Get your feet measured if you are unsure of your size.

7. Rotate your shoes Try not to wear the same shoes two days in a row, to reduce your chances of developing a fungal infection.

8. Vary your heel height Keep high heels for special occasions, as regular use can damage your feet.

9. Check your feet regularly Giving your feet the once over every week will help you to spot any possible problems quickly.

10 If you have any concerns aches or pains then you should see a podiatrist