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Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
May 10, 2021
Category: bone health

Did you know estimates are one in two women and one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to let our Middlesex County patients know that May is National Osteoporosis Month and an excellent time to focus on the importance of bone strength for your feet (and the rest of your body). Approximately 25% of all the bones in your body are in your feet. And those bones are responsible for carrying the entire weight of the body as you walk, run and accomplish all your daily tasks.

Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can help you develop a plan to improve and maintain strong bones. The first step is knowing your risk for osteoporosis. Many people mistakenly assume weak bones and fractures occur naturally over time, but this is untrue. Certain factors can predispose you to this disease. These risk factors fall into two categories:

Risk Factors You Can’t Control:

 

  • Age: being over 50
  • Gender: females have a higher risk than males
  • Menopause
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Body type: low body weight, small thin build at greater risk
  • Height loss
  • Previous bone fractures

Risk Factors You Can Control:

  • Inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet
  • Too much protein, sodium, and caffeine consumption
  • Diet lacks fruits and vegetables
  • Smoking
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Losing too much weight
  • Excessive alcohol use

The doctor will go over all your risk factors and may recommend a bone density test if appropriate. This painless test can help assess the current health of your bones.

Building Stronger Bones

Fortunately, there are many ways you can improve bone strength at any age. These include: eating more calcium-rich foods or taking supplements to get the amounts you need, regularly engaging in weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, improving balance, and not smoking.

If you have questions about bone health and your feet, don’t hesitate to Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
May 05, 2021
Category: foot fungus

As warmer weather arrives, more and more of our Middlesex County patients are beginning to get out and engage in “normal” activities again. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we think this is an excellent time to give some reminders about a common podiatric problem: fungal foot infections. 

Here are some facts about fungal infections and how to prevent them:

FACT: Foot odor can be a sign of a fungal infection. Other symptoms include red, itchy, burning skin that’s flaky and dry. Fungal nails may become discolored and thickened. Nails may also become brittle and crumbly at the edges.

FACT: Fungal infections are spread by coming in direct contact with the fungi, usually on a surface touched with the feet of an infected person. Wearing shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals in public places like pools, gym locker rooms, beach changing areas where people tend to walk barefoot will significantly reduce your chances of contracting a fungal infection.

FACT: Keeping feet clean by washing them with soap and water every day will lower your infection risk. Just be sure to dry your feet thoroughly, paying extra attention to the spaces between your toes because that’s usually where athlete’s foot first develops.

FACT: A nail salon that doesn’t follow proper sanitizing procedures can be a hotbed of fungal infections. It’s essential to sterilize all foot baths and all nail tools between customers. If you go to a salon regularly, consider bringing your own tools.

FACT: You should avoid sharing shoes or socks with other people or using nail clippers, emery boards, and any other items that have been in contact with someone else’s feet.

FACT: Your footwear choices can increase your risk for infection. Make sure you purchase shoes made of breathable material and that your shoes allow room for air to circulate. Avoid thick cotton socks and other types that cause your feet to sweat. If you perspire heavily, use a foot powder and change your socks throughout the day if you notice they feel damp.

FACT: Fungal infections can spread if not treated promptly. Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to arrange an appointment with our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, if you suspect you have a fungal foot infection.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
April 26, 2021
Category: exercise

As we slowly but surely emerge from COVID lockdowns and restrictions, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists know many of our Middlesex County patients are experiencing unexpected foot pain as they begin to be more active. Your podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can help you make the re-entry into a more active lifestyle smoothly and pain-free.

Start with A Checkup—the first step is to schedule a podiatric checkup at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. The foot doctor will give your feet and ankles a thorough examination and look for any developing problems. If you have a chronic foot problem such as bunions or flat feet, the podiatrist will assess their progression and decide if your treatment plan needs to be updated.

Get the Right Shoes—did you know the foot doctor can help you with proper sports shoe selection? Your podiatrist can analyze your gait and tell quite a bit about how your unique feet work by examining the wear pattern on your current fitness shoes. Shoes designed to accommodate your specific foot care needs for the sport or activity you plan to engage in can increase comfort, safety, and performance. The foot doctor can also make recommendations on proper fit, sock choice, and lacing technique to give you the best shot at a successful fitness program.

Practice Injury Prevention—many injuries that are commonly associated with sports ranging from blisters and shin splints to plantar fasciitis and ankle strain. While the podiatrist can treat all of these conditions, he would much rather help you prevent them! Proper stretching techniques before and after exercise can help. Choosing a program that suits your current fitness level and allows you to progress gradually to more strenuous exercise is also a must.

Regular exercise has many benefits to your feet and the rest of your body. If you experience pain or discomfort at any point during or after working out, be sure to contact us promptly, 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
April 20, 2021
Category: Foot Care

When does taking care of your feet not directly involve your feet? In honor of National Foot Health Awareness Month, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists want to share some essential tips for podiatric health that may surprise you.

  1. Eat Nutritiously—The food you eat has an impact on your feet and ankles. It’s important to get enough calcium and vitamin D through dairy products, leafy greens, beans, lentils, sardines, and canned salmon to support the 26 bones in each of your feet. You can also help control inflammation—a common symptom in many foot disorders—by eating foods that fight inflammation (berries, salmon, turmeric, flax) and avoiding those that can elevate it (fried and processed foods, sugars).

  2. Maintain a Healthy Weight—If only each pound you gain put one additional pound of pressure on your feet. However, you gain the load on your lower extremities for every pound by 3-5 pounds. Many common foot ailments like flat feet, sesamoiditis, and plantar fasciitis are made much worse by being overweight.

  3. Don’t Smoke—In addition to raising your risk for cancer and heart disease, smoking also impedes circulation. Good blood flow is essential for health and healing in your lower legs and feet.

  4. Exercise Regularly—When you commit to getting at least 150 or more active minutes a week, you benefit your feet in more than one way. You improve flexibility and circulation. Being physically active also helps you burn calories and keep your weight down. Additionally, exercise can be a safeguard against other diseases associated with medical complications for feet and ankles.

  5. Get Annual Eye Exams—One common cause of trips and falls, resulting in ankle sprains, fractures, and other injuries, is poor vision. Changes to your eyes can occur slowly and gradually. Sticking to a regular schedule of eye exams will minimize this risk.

  6. Manage Medical Conditions— Several systemic diseases can harm your feet. Diabetes and heart disease, for example, can both cause poor circulation, which increases the chance of infection and even amputation. Following your doctor’s treatment plan and making lifestyle choices that help keep these and other conditions in check will improve the health of your feet.

If you have questions about how to be proactive in the health of your feet and ankles, don’t hesitate to ask our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, during your next visit to our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
April 13, 2021
Category: foot safety

According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine’s most recent statistics, on average, nearly 85,000 injuries occur each year from mowing the lawn. As grass greens up in Middlesex County, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists want to offer the following do’s and don’ts to protect your feet (and the rest of your body) while taking care of this common chore.

Do: Start the season by checking your mower is in good working order. Get serviced professionally if necessary. Avoid removing any parts or making modifications to the mower.

Don’t: Mow the lawn in flip-flops or barefoot. Your best footwear choice is a work boot or other heavy shoe. Even sneakers are no match for the sharp blades of a power mower.

Don’t: Cut the grass when it’s wet. Losing control of a mower on a wet, slippery lawn is the number one cause of mower injuries to the feet.

Do: Clear the lawn of debris. Sticks, rocks, and children’s toys all have the danger of shooting out at high speeds from a power mower and pose a risk of injury to bystanders.

Do: Make clear and firm rules for children to follow when you are mowing. These should include never approaching you while the mower is running. It’s best if children stay inside until you’ve finished the lawn mowing. Instruct your children not to touch the lawnmower, even when it’s not on. Mowers remain hot for a long time once turned off, and the blades are sharp whether the mower is running or not.

Don’t: Give children rides on the lawnmower. Thousands of children are treated in the emergency room each year due to foot injuries climbing on or off a riding mower.

Do: Treat any injury from a mower promptly. Blades are dirty, and even a minor cut can quickly become infected. If you have concerns about a foot injury you received while mowing, contact our Cromwell office call 860-632-5499 for an evaluation by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416