Havant Foot Clinic

16/10/2025

Just started my afternoon 'late night' clinic ....I'm here busy until 7pm
Happy to answer emails and you can always book online

14/10/2025

Foot pain? Visit a podiatrist!

13/10/2025

13-19 October is Podiatry Week.

Podiatry Week aims to inspire people to learn more about podiatry, foot and ankle health, take advantage of the invaluable services on offer, and even consider podiatry as a career path.

Podiatrists play an essential role across all areas of the health sector - from private practice, community health services, hospitals, rural and remote outreach clinics, to rehabilitation centres, residential aged care, across the disability sector and working within people’s homes.

From our very first steps, podiatrists keep us moving pain free, chasing sporting goals, staying active for better health, and recovering from injury.

When life presents new challenges, from managing diabetes to staying mobile in later years, podiatrists are there every step of the journey to provide support.

It's not just lower limb, ankle and foot problems – it’s about quality of life at every age and stage.

17/09/2025

Annual Leave
Back on Monday 29th September.
If you send an email (havantfootclinic@gmail.com) you will receive an automated reply which contains information on what to do if you have a foot problem. I won‘t be taking my business phone with me.
You can book an appointment online havantfootclinic.com
Thanks for your kind understanding in allowing me to have a break.

10/09/2025

I AM ON ANNUAL LEAVE UNTIL 16th SEPTEMBER. please be aware that during this time I will not be able to respond to emails etc. if you would like an appointment please book online via the website havantfootclinic.com.
If you send me an email, you will receive an automated response which contains advice if you have a concern regarding your foot/feet.

03/09/2025

Itchy feet? Visit a podiatrist!

01/09/2025

you can make an online appointment to have you nail checked havantfootclinc.com

We know only too well how painful ingrown toenails can be. Take it to a podiatrist as soon as the pain strikes!

22/07/2025

We've shared lots of information over the last few posts around how to help prevent fungal nail infections, especially over the summer months.

One area to be aware of is when visiting the 'spa' or 'nail salon' for a pedicure. This may be a lovely relaxing treat but are you happy with the hygiene? Can you see that tools are being sterilised and everything is properly clean between appointments? If you are not sure, best to have this done with a podiatrist instead... We can assure you of first class hygiene and great results!

👣👣👣

22/07/2025

Great advice from another great Podiatry clinic

We've shared lots of information over the last few posts around how to help prevent fungal nail infections, especially over the summer months.

One area to be aware of is when visiting the 'spa' or 'nail salon' for a pedicure. This may be a lovely relaxing treat but are you happy with the hygiene? Can you see that tools are being sterilised and everything is properly clean between appointments? If you are not sure, best to have this done with a podiatrist instead... We can assure you of first class hygiene and great results!

👣👣👣

19/07/2025

Messenger is not working
Please email me havantfootclinic@gmail.com

24/06/2025

Plantar plate tears

Foot Orthosis Modifications for Plantar Plate Tears

Tears of the plantar plates of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints (MPJ) can be effectively treated with custom foot orthoses which are specially modified to reduce both the compression and tension forces acting on the affected plantar plate. These orthoses are designed using Tissue Stress Theory where the goal of foot orthoses are to reduce the excessive loading forces on the injured structural component of the foot.

The Subtalar Joint Neutral Theory, taught by Root and colleagues for decades, emphasized "preventing compensations for deformities of the foot" and "trying to make the foot function in the subtalar joint neutral position". Unfortunately, Subtalar Joint Neutral Theory neglected to stress the importance of using forefoot extensions in orthoses and was not effective at treating plantar plate tears, but rather focused more on attempting to get the foot to function in subtalar joint neutral position.

Over the years of treating plantar plate tears (previously called MPJ capsulitis), I have used a number of orthosis modifications, two of which are shown below (see my illustrations below for 2nd MPJ plantar plate tears). The anterior edge of the plate can be modified to create an extended portion just proximal to the 2nd metatarsal head in order to support the 2nd metatarsal shaft distally all the way to the metatarsal neck. Alternatively, a metatarsal pad may be added to the anterior edge of the orthosis.

In addition, it is very important to accommodate the affected metatarsal head with a flexible, non-compressible material such as Korex or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). I generally will start with 1/8" (3 mm) Korex which may be increased, or decreased, in thickness depending on the patient's symptomatic response to the forefoot accommodation. The accommodation of the affected metatarsal head greatly reduces the compression force acting on the injured plantar plate allowing the patient to walk with much less pain during daily activities.

Such orthosis modifications can mean the difference between pain with each step versus no pain at all during the day for the patient suffering from plantar forefoot pain from plantar plate tears. I will combine foot orthoses with other conservative therapies such as daily to twice-daily plantar icing therapy, having the patient purchase soft-soled sandals for home use (Oofos sandals are my favorite), avoiding any barefoot weightbearing activities, and using digital plantarflexion taping to prevent excessive plantar plate tension forces during gait.

Cortisone injections may also be administered into the soft tissues plantar to the plantar plate to reduce excessive inflammation and swelling if the patient's foot does not respond to other conservative measures after a few weeks of treatment. In addition, in more severe cases of 2nd MPJ plantar plate tears, a cam-walker boot with a cut-out under the 2nd metatarsal head, may be used for 2-4 weeks to reduce inflammation and pain at the affected joint.

24/06/2025

Foot Orthosis Modifications for Plantar Plate Tears

Tears of the plantar plates of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints (MPJ) can be effectively treated with custom foot orthoses which are specially modified to reduce both the compression and tension forces acting on the affected plantar plate. These orthoses are designed using Tissue Stress Theory where the goal of foot orthoses are to reduce the excessive loading forces on the injured structural component of the foot.

The Subtalar Joint Neutral Theory, taught by Root and colleagues for decades, emphasized "preventing compensations for deformities of the foot" and "trying to make the foot function in the subtalar joint neutral position". Unfortunately, Subtalar Joint Neutral Theory neglected to stress the importance of using forefoot extensions in orthoses and was not effective at treating plantar plate tears, but rather focused more on attempting to get the foot to function in subtalar joint neutral position.

Over the years of treating plantar plate tears (previously called MPJ capsulitis), I have used a number of orthosis modifications, two of which are shown below (see my illustrations below for 2nd MPJ plantar plate tears). The anterior edge of the plate can be modified to create an extended portion just proximal to the 2nd metatarsal head in order to support the 2nd metatarsal shaft distally all the way to the metatarsal neck. Alternatively, a metatarsal pad may be added to the anterior edge of the orthosis.

In addition, it is very important to accommodate the affected metatarsal head with a flexible, non-compressible material such as Korex or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). I generally will start with 1/8" (3 mm) Korex which may be increased, or decreased, in thickness depending on the patient's symptomatic response to the forefoot accommodation. The accommodation of the affected metatarsal head greatly reduces the compression force acting on the injured plantar plate allowing the patient to walk with much less pain during daily activities.

Such orthosis modifications can mean the difference between pain with each step versus no pain at all during the day for the patient suffering from plantar forefoot pain from plantar plate tears. I will combine foot orthoses with other conservative therapies such as daily to twice-daily plantar icing therapy, having the patient purchase soft-soled sandals for home use (Oofos sandals are my favorite), avoiding any barefoot weightbearing activities, and using digital plantarflexion taping to prevent excessive plantar plate tension forces during gait.

Cortisone injections may also be administered into the soft tissues plantar to the plantar plate to reduce excessive inflammation and swelling if the patient's foot does not respond to other conservative measures after a few weeks of treatment. In addition, in more severe cases of 2nd MPJ plantar plate tears, a cam-walker boot with a cut-out under the 2nd metatarsal head, may be used for 2-4 weeks to reduce inflammation and pain at the affected joint.