Havering Therapy Centre - established 1974
Podiatrist treating a patient's toenail Podiatrist treating the sole of a patient's foot
Our Services

Podiatry & Chiropody at Havering Therapy Centre.

Expert care for the foot and ankle — from routine nail and skin care through to biomechanical assessment, custom orthotics and minor nail surgery.

Using modern assessment techniques and equipment, our podiatrists are able to assess and diagnose problems in the foot and ankle that may be causing you pain or discomfort. Feet are easy to overlook until something goes wrong — and because they carry you all day, a small problem in the foot can quickly affect how you walk, and in turn your knees, hips and lower back.

Whatever brings you in, our friendly team will talk through the problem with you, explain what they've found in plain language, and agree a treatment plan together. You don't need a referral from your GP — you can book directly with the clinic.

Routine foot & nail care

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Routine foot & nail care

Regular treatment for toenail trimming, thickened or difficult nails, corns, calluses and hard skin. Ideal if you find cutting your own nails difficult, or simply want your feet kept comfortable and healthy by a professional.

Biomechanical assessment

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Biomechanical assessment

A detailed assessment of how your feet, ankles and legs work together when you stand and walk. Where a problem is found, our podiatrists can prescribe custom orthotics to correct the mechanics and relieve pain in the feet, knees, hips or lower back.

Ingrown toenail surgery

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Ingrown toenail surgery

For painful or recurring ingrown toenails, our podiatrists can carry out minor nail surgery under local anaesthetic at the clinic, along with full aftercare so the problem is resolved properly rather than repeatedly managed. There is more detail on what to expect further down this page.

Heel & arch pain

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Heel & arch pain

Assessment and treatment for plantar fasciitis, heel pain and arch discomfort, combining hands-on treatment, footwear advice, stretches and orthotics where appropriate.

Diabetic & high-risk foot care

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Diabetic & high-risk foot care

Careful, regular foot care for patients at higher risk, including those living with diabetes or circulation problems. Treatment includes thorough checks, prompt attention to any changes and clear advice on looking after your feet at home.

Corns, callus & verrucae

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Corns, callus & verrucae

Safe, professional removal and treatment of corns, hard skin and verrucae, with advice on footwear and pressure relief to reduce the chance of them returning.

Watch

A look at podiatry at the centre.

A quick look at our podiatry service and the treatment room where you'll be seen.

Whether you're booking routine foot and nail care or something more involved like a biomechanical assessment or nail surgery, you'll be seen by a qualified podiatrist who'll talk you through what they're doing.

In more detail

Nail surgery, step by step.

If your podiatrist has recommended nail surgery to change the shape of your toe nail, here is what to expect — before, during and afterwards.

This is a routine procedure carried out under local anaesthetic, and it is commonly used to treat ingrown toe nails. A local anaesthetic is injected into both sides of the base of your toe, producing a numb toe. The part of the nail causing the problem is removed, and a chemical called phenol is applied to the growing area to prevent re-growth, permanently changing the width of the nail. The toe is then dressed and monitored until it heals, which takes roughly four to six weeks.

Most nails do not re-grow, although there is a small chance that re-growth may occur, and a possibility of deforming the remaining nail. The toe may become infected if it is not looked after properly, and you may experience slight pain after the procedure. Your podiatrist will explain all of this to you and answer your questions before you decide to go ahead.

Before

Preparing for the day

  • Eat at your normal meal time before the appointment.
  • Wear or bring a pair of open-toed shoes, as your toe will be dressed afterwards.
  • Arrange transport home — it is not recommended that you drive yourself.
  • Plan to rest with your foot up for the remainder of the day.
Afterwards

The first 24 hours

  • Rest at home with your feet up for the rest of the day.
  • Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours — it dilates the blood vessels and makes the toe more likely to bleed.
  • Keep the initial dressing on, even if the toe bleeds.
  • If your toe is painful, take your usual pain killers as directed on the packet — but not aspirin.
  • Keep the dressing intact and dry until your follow-up appointment.
As it heals

Caring for your toe

  • Keep the affected foot out of bath water and the shower.
  • Soak the toe in warm — not hot — salty water for 5 to 10 minutes, using about a handful of table salt to a bowl of water.
  • Dry with a clean towel or a piece of dressing, and apply antiseptic if advised.
  • Re-dress the wound in a sterile manner as shown to you, and never leave it uncovered.
  • Avoid swimming and contact sports while the toe heals, and wear well-fitting footwear.

Contact us if you experience any of the following:

  • Persistent coldness of the affected area
  • Undue pain in the affected area
  • Discolouration of the affected area

Telephone the clinic on 01708 621111 or come back in. Outside clinic hours, contact your GP or your local casualty department.

Returning for your check-ups matters. It is essential that your podiatrist checks your toe and advises you on how to care for it while it heals, so please keep your follow-up appointments. Consent for the procedure is given at the clinic on the day, once everything has been explained to you and you have had the chance to ask questions — and you can change your mind at any time.

Meet the team

Our podiatrists.

Qualified, registered podiatrists providing everything from routine care through to nail surgery and custom orthotics.

Lana Kashtelyanova

Lana Kashtelyanova

Podiatrist

Lana qualified in 2011 from the University of East London and holds additional qualifications in local anaesthesia, nail surgery and prescription only medicines (POMs).

During her training Lana worked for Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust, and she has worked in private practice throughout East London since qualifying.

Lana enjoys diagnosing and treating a wide range of foot conditions, with a particular interest in nail surgery, verruca needling and biomechanics. She provides an exceptional service for her patients, helping with everything from routine toenail cutting through to nail surgery and biomechanical assessments for custom orthotics.

Lana works every Monday and Wednesday, and every other Saturday morning.

HCPC registered · Member of the College of Podiatry
Onyeka Ossai

Onyeka Ossai

Podiatrist

Onyeka qualified from the University of East London with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry.

Onyeka genuinely loves being a podiatrist. What she enjoys most is seeing how small changes can make a real difference to someone's quality of life — whether that means relieving pain, improving mobility, or helping someone get back to doing the things they enjoy. No two patients are the same, and she really values taking the time to understand each person, their concerns and what matters most to them.

For Onyeka, good podiatry is about combining clinical knowledge and professional expertise with a personal and caring approach. She wants every patient to feel comfortable, listened to and confident in the care they receive.

When she is not in the clinic, Onyeka enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and making time to unwind and recharge. She finds that maintaining this balance helps her bring energy, focus and compassion to every patient she sees.

Onyeka works at the clinic on Tuesday evenings and alternate Saturdays.

HCPC registered · Member of the Royal College of Podiatry
Book an appointment

Ready to get started?

Call the clinic or send us an email and we'll help you find the right appointment.

Call 01708 621111 Email the clinic