Martin Hearne Visiting Foot Health Practitioner

Martin Hearne Visiting Foot Health Practitioner MCFHP MAFHP Fully insured SMAE institute graduate since 2005 succeeding my father, a Chiropodist.

06/04/2025

Twenty years to the day that I qualified 🥳

A large, painful corn successfully removed with a sterile blade.The patient suffered no collateral damage or discomfort ...
06/03/2025

A large, painful corn successfully removed with a sterile blade.

The patient suffered no collateral damage or discomfort during the process, granting immediate pain relief while improving the ability to walk with greater stability and therefore safety.

Incorrectly cut nails, here we see the leading edge has been cut however the vertical sections have not thus spurs are c...
20/02/2025

Incorrectly cut nails, here we see the leading edge has been cut however the vertical sections have not thus spurs are created which, with sufficient pressure, can be forced into the skin causing infection or even ingrown toenail.

A good example of nail involution, patients often remark on extraordinary thickness apparent when viewed from their own ...
20/02/2025

A good example of nail involution, patients often remark on extraordinary thickness apparent when viewed from their own perspective above

In reality the nail is less thick than it appears, the central area is hollow or contains nail bed tissue.

Such a nail has an increased probability of ingrowth since the edges are perpendicular to the flesh.

Treatment includes reduction and cutting as required to prevent issues.

An infected toe managed and resolved.
27/09/2024

An infected toe managed and resolved.

Unexpected bank holiday emergency treatment, involuted nail nearly ingrown plus ankle lesion, dressed appropriately.Pict...
27/05/2024

Unexpected bank holiday emergency treatment, involuted nail nearly ingrown plus ankle lesion, dressed appropriately.

Pictures provided, as always, with the consent of the patient.

A little more healing required to complete this remedy but already a good outcome.
12/05/2024

A little more healing required to complete this remedy but already a good outcome.

This is worth a quick read for general knowledge.
14/02/2024

This is worth a quick read for general knowledge.

14/02/2024

Posted with patient permission 👍

We will all eventually be touched by dementia in some way, I came across this in Hospital recently and found it very poi...
26/12/2023

We will all eventually be touched by dementia in some way, I came across this in Hospital recently and found it very poignant.

Ingrown toenails are a common condition that can occur at any age but are particularly prevalent in the elderly populati...
16/08/2023

Ingrown toenails are a common condition that can occur at any age but are particularly prevalent in the elderly population. During the aging process, changes occur affecting the structure of both feet and nails, these changes can increase the likelihood of developing ingrown toenails which can be managed in many cases by analysing footwear and lifestyle choices, correcting as necessary with help and advice.

Presentations of greater magnitude may be tackled utilising padding in conjunction with offloading and repositioning strategies.

If the above conservative treatment plans fail then more aggressive corrective techniques may be indicated, this can be discussed with the patient and a plan formulated.

The most common causes of ingrown toenails in elderly patients are natural thickening and involution (horse shoe shape) of the nails, in addition elderly nails become brittle in composition making them prone to breaking and leaving sharp irregular shaped edges and corners on the remaining portion, these residual serrations coupled with loss of elasticity in the skin of the toe tip area can further increase the likelihood of an ingrown toenail occurring.

Poor foot hygiene can contribute where such Individuals may have difficulty reaching their feet to properly clean and dry them, creating a bacteria/fungus rich environment increasing the risk of infection should the Ingrowing nail cut through the skin creating a portal of entry for foreign bodies.

Wearing tight shoes or socks can also contribute with localised pressure on the toes increasing the likelihood of an involuted nail puncturing the skin. Medical pressure stockings in particular are often responsible for this situation and the exacerbation of interdigital corns.

I will stress that the therapeutic benefits of pressure stockings improving blood flow/venous return and the prevention of thrombotic events are without question and should not be discontinued without consensus from all members of the care chain should a conclusion that a detrimental affect on overall foot health has occurred.

Certain medical conditions are likely contributory to ingrown toenails:

Diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor circulation in the feet which can increase infection prevalence, reducing wound healing capacity rendering the patient ignorant of pain and the resultant consequences should peripheral neuropathy limit the ability to perceive sensation.

Arthritis causing deformities with resultant lateral pressure or even direct pressure on the tips of the toes should they hammer/mallet/abduct sculpting the nails as they grow. Greatly misshapen nails as described are more likely to become ingrown or even slice into the flesh of neighbouring toes.

Finally, improper trimming techniques can also contribute to the development of ingrown toenails, those individuals unable to see clearly or reach their feet without straining may rush the task or those cutting to maximize time before having to repeat the process creating a particularly short asymmetric leading edge now situated in the soft tissue of the nail bed with resultant trauma as nails regrow.

In conclusion ingrown toenails can be a potentially serious problem which should be acted upon quickly to avoid painful complications.

Martin Hearne
MCFHP MAFHP

A corn under the nail, uncommon and extremely painful as the nail plate is constantly pressing down on it. Finding the c...
04/08/2023

A corn under the nail, uncommon and extremely painful as the nail plate is constantly pressing down on it. Finding the corn is difficult since the section of nail hiding it must first be removed. Enucleation must be performed with care as nail bed tissue is particularly sensitive.

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Fleet

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Monday 8am - 5pm
7pm - 12am
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
7pm - 12am
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
7pm - 12am
Thursday 9am - 5pm
7pm - 12am
Friday 9am - 3pm
7pm - 12am

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