For such a small part of our body, our toes do a lot of hard work down there. In order to keep our bodies well-balanced, the toes take on quite a bit of pressure. Sometimes, when toes are compressed into too-tight shoes or if the pressure is shifted from high-heeled shoes, it can be detrimental.

That added pressure can cause toe deformities. Two of the most common deformities are underlapping and overlapping toes. Toes crammed and forced into unnatural positions can end up with painful conditions like calluses, corns, and blisters.

Overlapping toes

The most typical overlapping toe condition is when the fifth toe has shifted on top of the adjacent toe. Another common overlap is the second toe overlapping the big toe, but any toe may overlap another. Overlapping toes can be caused by genetics, by a growing bunion shifting the foot’s shape, or by shoes that constrict the toes’ movement.

For infants, tapping and stretching their feet can help with overlapping toes, but they can come back with age. Toe straighteners, separators, or caps can help spread the toes apart. If you’re shoe shopping, make sure you purchase flexible shoes that have plenty of room in the toe box – this will help ease inflammation and pain. If conservative solutions do not work, your doctor can discuss surgical options.

Underlapping toes

Typically, underlapping toes involve the fourth and fifth toe. This fairly common condition is often caused by an imbalance in the toe muscles that pulls the ligaments, causing the toe to shift underneath the next one. Tight shoes can exacerbate the problem, but the exact cause of underlapping toes is undetermined.

Treatment involves toe caps or straighteners which provide relief and help to start realignment. If the condition is painful enough that you are having difficulty walking, surgical options might be the next recourse. Discuss this with your podiatrist.

If you are dealing with underlapping or overlapping toes, give Feet First Foot Care Specialists a call! Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help answer any questions you might have about your toes or about foot health. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

If you have pain in your feet and ankles, there’s a good chance it is affecting more than just your feet and ankles. Often when our feet hurt, we put some ice on it, take a quick break, and then get right back to what we were doing. We even just ignore the pain and hope it will subside on its own. Unfortunately, this can have lasting consequences on not just your feet and ankles, but also your hips, back, neck, and even your head. Here are some foot and ankle issues that can affect your whole body and vice-versa:

• Incorrect gait – The way you walk is called your gait, and your walking pattern affects your whole body. If you have a limp or are distributing your weight unevenly, the pain can quietly travel up to your knees and eventually your back. An incorrect gait can also up the risk of rolling or twisting your ankle. Get your gait assessed by your podiatrist. A fix could be as simple as slipping a custom orthotic into your shoes.
• Pinched nerve – A compressed nerve in your back can cause pain in many different parts of your body, sometimes even evading the area where the nerve is pinched! If you notice shooting pain or tingling randomly occurring in your feet and/or your back, get it assessed as soon as you can.
• Foot drop – If you are physically unable to lift your foot up to walk, this could be an ankle or back issue. If you are also experiencing pain radiating from your calf to the top of your big toe, it is most likely something going on in your back.
• Inability to walk on tip-toes – Tip-toeing is something you learn to do at such a young age that you might not realize how many parts of your body work together to make it happen. Your leg, ankle, and feet need the strength, stability, balance and flexibility to sustain it. Back pain could be contributing to this issue. It might not seem like an obvious connection, but tell your podiatrist if you are unable to stand on your tiptoes.

Are you experiencing pain in your feet and ankles that might stem from back pain? Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help answer any questions you might have about your feet and ankle health. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

Walking is one of the best things you can do – not only for your heart rate, but for your feet too. It is safe compared to high-intensity sports, but often comes with the same benefits. So, you’ve strapped on your FitBit and made a lofty goal of getting in a certain number of steps every day. How do you get started? How do you incorporate walking activities into your day? We’ve compiled a few helpful and creative tips for sneaking in some extra steps throughout your day.

Trick yourself

• Park a long way away from where you’re headed. This will help you quickly find a parking spot, and also help you get a lot more steps!
• Find ways to “forget” to bring something to the other room or to an office meeting so you have to go back to your original point.

Find excuses to move

• If you work at a desk, it can be tough to find reasons to get up and walk around. One great way is to always take the steps instead of the elevator.
• Instead of picking up the phone and calling or emailing your coworker, trek over to their desk!
• Use a smaller cup so you have to walk back to the kitchen more frequently for refills. Water is great to stay hydrated too!
• Use a bathroom that’s further away, rather than the one right next to you. Bonus points if you walk up the stairs to another floor!

Take it seriously

• A pedometer or activity tracker app is a great tool to help monitor your goals. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something that counts your steps throughout the day (unless you’re the kind of person who likes to count every single step you take!).
• Set attainable goals and keep yourself accountable. Use an exercise diary to write how you feel physically and emotionally when you get all your steps in each day.
• Get a buddy. Partners can help keep you motivated and make sure you’re staying on your goals.

Are you searching for ways to stay in shape and keep your feet and ankles healthy? Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help answer any questions you might have about your feet and ankle health. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

Muscle spasms might seem like just a minor irritation, but they could be an indication of a larger issue going on in your feet or your body. Have you ever experienced a muscle spasm? A tight, painful contraction in your feet or toes that causes a great deal of pain, followed by muscle twitching and then pins and needles or a tingling feeling? Sometimes they can be just mildly annoying but sometimes they can be quite painful. Spasms clear out pretty quickly, and you can carry on with whatever you were doing, but if they occur often, they definitely need to be checked by a podiatrist.

What causes muscle spasms in your feet?

The name for muscle spasms in your feet and toes is carpopedal spasms and there are several things that could cause them. These include:

• Neuromuscular diseases
• Nerve damage
• Dehydration
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Electrolyte deficiencies

How can the cause be determined?

If you are experiencing carpopedal spasms repeatedly, your podiatrist will need to assess why. Dr. Adam Mucinskas will start by evaluating your medical background and lifestyle, and then conduct a comprehensive examination. He’ll look at your feet, ankles, and toes to find any underlying issues that might be causing the spasms. Once he determines the issue, he will move on to treatment.

How are spasms treated?

Muscle spasm treatment all depends on what is causing them. Some common treatments include:

• Prescription medication
• Electrical stimulation therapy
• Laser therapy
• Decompression surgery using nerve wraps
• Vitamin injections
• Calcium supplements

As always, these issues should only be evaluated and treated by a medical professional. Attempting to treat carpopedal spasms on your own can do more harm than good.

The causes and treatments for muscle spasms vary greatly. If you’re suffering from muscle spasms in your feet or toes, call your podiatrist. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help you decode what is causing the spasms and get you on the road to relief. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

It starts as a mild irritation and escalates to an annoying sensation, but by the end of the day, itchy feet can drive you absolutely insane! Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that itchy feet can actually be a symptom of a number of podiatric disorders. It could simply be dry skin (which in the medical community we call Xerosis) and could easily be remedied with a regular application of moisturizer throughout the day. If that’s not it though, it’s definitely time to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to get to the bottom of that itch!

What’s causing itchy feet?

• Athlete’s foot – this fungal infection usually begins between the toes but can creep to cover your whole foot. It’s characterized by an itching and burning sensation but can also lead to blisters. To prevent contracting it, avoid being barefoot in public places such as pools or gym locker rooms. Your foot doctor might prescribe a fungal cream or – for aggressive cases – an oral medication.
• Allergic dermatitis – allergic reactions can cause your whole body to itch! Cosmetics, perfumes, personal hygiene products, adhesive materials, metals, fabrics, latex, foods, rubber, plants – practically anything can cause an itchy allergic reaction! Your skin might also experience a burning sensation and could form a rash or become flaky. Your doctor might prescribe antibiotic ointments or topical steroids and can recommend hypoallergenic skin products to avoid future breakouts.
• Irritant dermatitis – this comes with similar presentation and treatments as allergic dermatitis, only this is not caused by an allergen. Prolonged contact with an alkaline or acidic substance is the culprit in irritant dermatitis. Isolating the source and avoiding further exposure is necessary for both types of dermatitis.
• Psoriasis – psoriasis presents as skin irregularities but is actually an immune system disorder. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes new skin cells to emerge to the surface too quickly. It causes thick, flaky skin patches that become itchy and inflamed. These patches are often red, white, or grey. Topical creams and anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed to help alleviate symptoms of psoriasis.

You’ll see that the same itchy symptoms can indicate a number of medical conditions, each coming with specific diagnosis and treatment. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help you determine what is causing your itchy feet and assist with relief. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.