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

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September 13, 2021
Tags: foot pain   heel pain   bunions   Fall Footwear  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know as our Middlesex County patients switch from summer sandals to fall footwear, the transition may not go as smoothly as we like. Summer shoes tend to be more open and not as constricting as closed styles which become the norm in the fall.

Three common podiatric problems you may see in the fall and what to do about them:

Problem: Athlete’s foot. shoes invite fungal and bacterial infections. With all the barefoot traffic summer sees around swimming pools and in seaside changing areas and restrooms, infections are prevalent. If you’ve started back to the gym, there’s a high likelihood infection is present in communal showers and locker rooms. These dark, moist spaces are the perfect breeding ground for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.

Solution: Foot infections spread by direct contact. Keeping your feet covered in public places will help prevent you from getting one. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes multiple days in a row. Allow a day or two in between uses for shoes to air out. Choose shoes made of natural, breathable materials.

Problem: Heel Pain. If one of the reasons you hate to see summer end is because you love living in flip-flops, there’s a good chance your heels will be hurting once you go back to regular shoes. That’s because traditional flip-flops do not provide any arch support. It, in turn, aggravates the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue along the bottom of your foot—and causes your heels to hurt.

Solution: Try to gradually transition to traditional shoes, wearing them a few hours a day and increasing usage slowly. You may also need to do some stretching exercises to help decrease inflammation in the plantar fascia.

Problem: Bunion Pain. Ah, it was so nice to wear open-toed shoes that didn’t press on your bunion and make it hurt! Going back to closed-toe styles may mean an increase in the pain and discomfort you experience from your bunions.

Solution: Some additional padding may help to protect a sensitive bunion. You may also have to consider shoes that are a little larger or at least designed with a roomier toe box. It may also be time to have the podiatrist check to see if your bunion progresses to a point where a different treatment plan is necessary.

With all of the above foot problems and any new uncomfortable symptoms you develop, if they persist, it’s best not to put off making an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your feet and track down the source of your discomfort as well as the best solution to bring you relief.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
September 08, 2021
Category: Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we often see Middlesex County patients suffering from poor circulation but are unaware of it. Your circulatory system is responsible for bringing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to every cell in your body. Since your feet are the part of you farthest from the heart, they may be the first to send up warning signs indicating a slow circulation down. Below are some symptoms that may indicate poor circulation:              

  • Feet frequently feel cold, regardless of temperature where you are

  • Feelings of numbness

  • Skin discoloration turning blue, red, white, or purple

  • Hair loss on legs, feet, and toes

  • Dry skin, cracking

  • Wounds seem to be slow to heal

  • Weak toenails

Causes of poor circulation

For some patients, circulation may be impeded when they spend time outside in the cold or stand or sit in one position for a long period. Poor circulation can also be the sign of a more serious medical condition, including:

  • Diabetes—when you don’t manage diabetes effectively and blood glucose levels remain high for an extended period; blood vessels can be damaged.

  • Raynaud’s Disease— condition causes blood vessels to narrow when exposed to cold temperatures. Raynaud's can also trigger stress and another illness or medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.

  • Arteriosclerosis—high blood pressure can result in a hardening of the arteries.

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease— is characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries, which restricts blood flow.

Improving Circulation

Suppose you recognize any of the signs of poor circulation. In that case, it's important that you make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and ankles. The foot doctor will determine if poor circulation is present and track down the source. There are some steps you can take at home to improve circulation to your feet. These include:

  • Stay active

  • Don’t sit with legs crossed

  • Stop smoking

  • Limit caffeine and alcohol

  • Wear compression socks

  • Keep feet warm

If you have questions about poor circulation and your feet, contact us, 860-632-5499 for your appointment.

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September 03, 2021
Category: Foot Care

Across Middlesex County, children and teens are gearing up for the fall sports season. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we’re happy some things seem to be getting back on track for our and their team sports participation. However, we also want to remind parents and athletes that while there are many benefits to playing sports, there are also potential pitfalls for foot and ankle injuries.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help ensure a safe and injury-free sports season for your youngster’s athletic activities:

  1. Don’t wait for the first practice to get moving. Going directly from the couch to the playing field is an invitation to many common sports injuries, from ankle sprains to Achilles tendonitis. Hopefully, your child has been engaged in physical activities throughout the summer. It’s important to increase their fitness level as the sports season approaches gradually. Encourage your child to become more active and perhaps contact their coach pre-season for some conditioning suggestions to get in shape for their sport.

  2. Buy new athletic shoes. Most likely, your children will have outgrown their sports shoes from last season. If last year’s model still fits, be sure to inspect externally and internally signs of wear, such as worn treads, stretched-out uppers, and tears or holes. It’s best to buy sport-specific athletic shoes designed for the specific movements each sport requires. Get feet properly measured and fitted too.

  3. Get old injuries re-evaluated. Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 for an appointment if your child sustained an injury over the last year. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will want to check on how well your child has recovered from a previous injury and may make recommendations for accommodations this season to prevent re-injury.

  4. Stress proper form and technique. Look for a sports program committed to teaching young athletes the right way to move and execute plays for their sport. It is an important safeguard against injuries.

  5. Stretch it out. Don’t let your child skip this important pre-and post-workout step. It helps improve flexibility and range of motion and helps ensure muscles are functioning smoothly, decreasing injury risk.

  6. Never play through the pain. Don’t subscribe to the old adage, “no pain, no gain.” If your child’s foot or ankle is hurting, promptly get them off the field and to the foot doctor. Don’t risk a worse injury that could sideline them for the remainder of the season or longer.

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September 03, 2021
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Untagged
Coming soon.
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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
August 23, 2021
Category: shoes

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know parents throughout Middlesex County (and maybe this year children too!) are beginning to sing, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as the new school year approaches. Getting new school shoes is a tradition and an essential component of good podiatric health for your child.

 

Take this true/false quiz below to test your children’s shoe shopping knowledge:

 

The best time to shop for shoes is first thing in the morning when children have more energy.

 

False—Your feet swell as the day goes on. Therefore, the ideal time to head to the shoe store is late afternoon or evening. Otherwise, you may end up with a pair of shoes that your child says feels too tight after their first full day of school.

 

Shoe style can impact comfort if your child has a chronic foot problem.

 

True—While shoes can’t usually correct a foot condition or biomechanical abnormality, they can make it worse or more painful. If your child overpronates or suffers from heel pain or another disorder, schedule a checkup with our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. The foot doctor will examine your child’s feet and recommend shoes that best accommodate their unique feet.

 

Feeling for the big toe is an excellent way to check the size.

 

True—There should be about a thumb’s width of space between your child’s longest toe and the front of the shoe. Get both of your child’s feet professionally measured. If one foot is larger than the other (very common), buy to fit the larger foot. Heel counters should be firm, and the foot should not slip out the back of the shoe.

 

My child can wear the same sneakers he wears for school to play their sport.

 

False—If your child is a serious athlete with weekly practices and games, it’s better to buy a shoe designed specifically to support the foot for the movement their sport requires. 

 

It’s okay to let your child buy the latest shoe fad.

 

False—Function should take precedence over form, no matter how much children beg or whine. Avoid shoes made from plastic, vinyl, or other non-breathable material. Don’t buy high-heeled footwear or entirely flat shoes for daily wear as they will cause foot problems.

If you have further questions about shoes for your children, please call our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416