Hammertoes get their name from the characteristic appearance they have been bent at the middle joint and causing the toe to look like a hammer. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we often find that patients don’t know much more about this condition than what it looks like. Hammertoes, however, are a progressive condition and, for that reason, they need to be evaluated and treated as early as possible.

What’s the Cause?

Hammertoes can occur in the second, third, fourth or fifth toe. The most frequent cause of this condition is a muscle/tendon imbalance that occurs as the result of a biomechanical or neurological change in the foot. Other contributing factors to hammertoes are:

• Genetics—a predisposition to hammertoe can be inherited
• Trauma
• Tight shoes that force the toe to remain in a cramped position for long periods of time

Diagnosis

Although the appearance of a hammertoe may seem obvious, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will examine your toe and get a complete medical history. The foot doctor may also order digital x-rays (which can be done right in our Cromwell office) to assess the severity of the deformity and also as a baseline for future monitoring of the toe.

Treatment Options

Initially, hammertoes will be flexible but, as time goes on, they can become rigidly bent and unable to straighten out. This can lead to secondary problems such as corns and calluses forming on the top of the toe from the pressure and friction created between the bent toe and footwear. There are several conservative treatment methods available, including:

• Modifying footwear—choosing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and avoiding pointy styles or shoes with high heels can help relieve pain and pressure on a hammertoe.
• Exercises and physical therapy—to stretch the toe and strengthen surrounding muscles.
• Splinting or strap—to help straighten and realign the toe.
• Custom orthotic device—these are used in your shoes to help properly position the foot and help correct any underlying biomechanical causes of hammertoe.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a hammertoe.

If you suspect you have a hammertoe, contact our Middlesex County office today for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

Imagine you’re walking down the street when, all of a sudden, you see a cute rabbit bolt out of a bush and across the street! It’s so cute as it hops along the pavement and you lose your footing! You’ve just fallen off the sidewalk and rolled your ankle. Will you be able to tell if it’s sprained or if it’s fractured?

Don’t worry, most people aren’t able to tell off the bat. Here are some tips and tricks for you to keep in mind when it comes to knowing just how urgent your injury might be when you accidentally fall and hurt yourself:

If it’s probably sprained, what should you expect?

• You might experience muscle spasms or weakness when moving your foot.
• There may be some inflammation which can cause aching pain.
• It might be difficult to move your foot - there may be a limited range of movement.
• Sometimes it might feel like your muscles are cramping up, too.

What about a fracture, what would I see?

• Rather than a limited range of movement, your foot might be entirely stiff.
• It’s nearly or completely impossible for you to bear any weight on the foot.
• You can see visible bruising that rapidly changes and worsens in appearance.
• Rather than aching pain, it’s more severe and unbearable.

Great, but it sounds like there are overlapping symptoms...are there?

• Both sprains and fractures are painful.
• Both sprains and fractures can result in bruising and swelling.
• Both sprains and fractures will make it difficult, or impossible, to bear weight.

When it comes down to it, the first few hours after your injury can tell you a lot. Of course, it will be painful, but the rate at which that pain, bruising, or swelling increases can give you tips on whether it’s a fracture or a sprain. Either way, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention as soon as it happens! For long term care with Dr. Adam Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists after experiencing a sprain or fracture, call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule an appointment with us in Cromwell, CT.

If you’ve been experiencing heel pain lately, you’re not alone. Most people who experience heel pain might not even notice it or may write it off as a normal part of life after a long day! This leads a lot of heel pain sufferers to go undiagnosed and untreated for their heel problems.

What sort of diagnoses can arise from talking to Dr. Adam Mucinskas about your heel pain?

Achilles tendonitis - this is a condition affecting the band of tissue stretching from our calf muscles to our heel bones. Arising from several causes, such as overuse, injury, or as a secondary symptom of other conditions like flat feet, Achilles tendonitis makes it painful to run, jump, climb stairs, or stand on your toes.

Plantar fasciitis - perhaps one of the most common issues seen by podiatrists today is a condition affecting the band of tissue that stretches from your heel bone to all of your toes. It’s primarily responsible for the healthy arched shape of our feet and, when damaged, can cause debilitating pain for the sufferer.

Flat feet - speaking of conditions that go unnoticed in most people, flat feet (or fallen arches) happen when the natural arch of our feet loses its pliability and flattens out. This causes several issues due to our feet losing the support of this arched tendon and can lead to developing plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.

There are several other issues that can arise as a result of frequent or chronic heel pain. The first step is getting scheduled to see a podiatrist at Feet First Foot Care. From there, your experiences and symptoms will be thoroughly assessed and you’ll be provided the highest quality care in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Don’t wait another day - call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule your appointment with us!

Did you ever hear of National Celebrate Exchange Day? This March holiday started on the anniversary of the first ever exchange club opened in Detroit, Michigan back in the early 1900s. These clubs were formed by local townsmen involved in business who wanted to ‘exchange’ great ideas, information, and resources to help improve their local communities. Today, there are over 600 exchange clubs throughout the United States.

When it comes to helping others, members of the exchange club really excel at their abilities. Who wouldn’t want to do what they can, be it small or large contributions, to help make their communities better for the benefit of their neighbors, family, and friends alike?

In that same respect, all of us here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists seek to benefit our local communities by providing excellent podiatric care that improves the quality of life for everyone. Every day is National Celebrate Exchange Day with Dr. Adam Mucinskas! By providing high-quality foot care to those in and around Cromwell, Connecticut, we hope to contribute to making the world a better place. What can you do today, or every day, to help celebrate National Celebrate Exchange Day?

• Recycle more often - whether at home or on the go, every recyclable item can help make a difference. If you can’t find a recycling bin out and about, hold onto it until you find one!
• Pick up trash - while some folks go the extra mile and organize large group outings to do trash pick-up in public places, you can start by simply picking up trash wherever you notice it.
• Help a neighbor - offer to help an elderly neighbor or someone who recently injured themselves! Even just bringing their groceries inside or sweeping their steps can make a world of difference.

These three simple ways you can participate in National Celebrate Exchange Day will be a lot easier if you wear comfortable, supportive shoes along the way. Call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Mucinskas!

There are so many types of foot and ankle conditions that can plague anyone, but, for most people, it’s difficult to really know about something before it directly or indirectly impacts their own lives. For those who have never experienced foot fungus in their lifetime, consider yourselves lucky! Foot fungus is one of those conditions that can be minor and hard to notice for a long time, especially because it doesn’t cause any discomfort until it’s left untreated and significantly worsens. Foot fungus can appear anywhere on your feet, most commonly on and around our toes. It can cause a subtle odor that can be noticeable to everyone but you! When it’s left to worsen, foot fungus can often spread to the toenails. This is where foot fungus then becomes toenail fungus.

In most scenarios, toenail fungus begins as a small area of discoloration on the toenail. This tiny spot can develop into something much more noticeable, however! As toenail fungus worsens, the affected toenail can become brittle, deformed, cause discomfort, and potentially become infected. When it comes to toenail fungus, a do-it-yourself method isn’t advised. If not carefully treated, toenail fungus can easily spread to other toenails or even other areas of your feet, causing discomfort and odor. What are the most important warning signs to look out for when it comes to toenail fungus?

• Discolored toenails
• A lifting nailbed
• Deformity of the toenail
• An unusual odor coming from the toes
• Shoes with a worsening smell to them

Thankfully, there are several ways to treat toenail fungus. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas helps to treat toenail fungus in his patients. If you notice that your toes might be exhibiting some of these warning signs listed above, call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule your next appointment at our location in Cromwell, Connecticut.