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

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May 11, 2022
Category: arthritis

Each year, May is recognized as National Arthritis Awareness Month by The Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. The first steps in conquering arthritis are learning the facts, understanding your condition, and knowing that help is by your side. At Feet First Foot Care, we want all our Middlesex County patients to have accessible and reliable resources. Below you will find information to help you learn more about arthritis, and how you can get involved this May during Arthritis Awareness Month.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. But there are three major forms of arthritis. These are:

  • Osteoarthritis – This is the most common form of arthritis which results in the wearing down of the cartilage at the ends of bones. Osteoarthritis leads to bone rubbing against bone, causing pain.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – is an autoimmune disease that causes an inflammatory reaction to occur in the synovium or lining of the joints. Eventually, this will cause the joints to deteriorate.
  • Psoriatic arthritis – occurs in people who have psoriasis. It affects the joints as well as the ligaments and tendons that attach to the bones.

Signs and Symptoms

People of all ages, sexes, and races can and do have arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older. Common symptoms of arthritis include:

  1. Pain
  2. Swelling
  3. Stiffness
  4. Difficulty moving a joint

What To Do

It is always ideal to track signs and symptoms of pain. This will help you to be able to communicate your experience to your podiatrist. If you ever have a fever among these symptoms, we recommend calling your doctor as soon as possible. Getting an accurate diagnosis is an important step to getting timely medical care for your condition. To schedule an appointment with board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas at our Cromwell, Connecticut office call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website.

Arthritis Prevention and Other Resources

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
May 02, 2022
Category: Foot Care

Whether you bike, run or hike, you know foot blisters can be unfortunate for being active. But thankfully, they do not mean your adventure has to end! Friction is usually the cause of blisters on the feet and does not require medical attention. These skin irritations can occur anywhere on the body where body parts rub together or against clothing. Fortunately, you can prevent blisters by preventing chafing. To stop them before they appear, at Feet First Foot Care, we recommend taking precautions if you know you're going to do a lot of walking, running, or other physical activity and always keep an eye on your skin. 

Preventing Blisters

While blisters can have many causes, the most common reason is friction. The best way to deal with them? Avoid them in the first place. To prevent blisters, break in new shoes slowly. Be sure to wash and dry your feet daily to prevent bacterial infections, such as Athlete's Foot.

To prevent chafing that can lead to blisters, The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends the following tips:

  1. Protect your feet. To prevent blisters on your feet, wear nylon or moisture-wicking socks. If wearing one pair of socks doesn’t help, try wearing two pairs to protect your skin. You should also make sure your shoes fit correctly. Shoes shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
  2. Wear the right clothing. During physical activity, wear moisture-wicking, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid clothes made of cotton, as cotton soaks up sweat and moisture, which can lead to friction and chafing.
  3. Consider soft bandages. Consider using adhesive moleskin or other soft bandages for problem areas, such as the feet or thighs. Make sure you securely apply the bandages.
  4. Apply powder or petroleum jelly to problem areas. It helps reduce friction when your skin rubs together or rubs against clothing.
  5. Stop your activity immediately if you experience any discomfort or if your skin turns red. Otherwise, you may get a blister.

If You Do Get a Blister

You can soothe ordinary blisters with vitamin E ointment or an aloe-based cream at home. Do not puncture a blister unless it is large, painful, or likely to be further irritated. If you have to pop a blister, use a sterilized needle or razor blade. Wash the area thoroughly, make a small hole and gently squeeze out the clear fluid. Apply a dab of hydrogen peroxide to help prevent infection. Do not remove the skin over a broken blister. The new skin underneath is a natural protective cover. Cover the area with a bandage and mild compression.

When To Seek Medical Attention

As your blister heals, watch for signs of an infection. If you notice any redness, pus, or increased pain or swelling, these are signs of infection. We recommend seeking medical attention. To schedule an appointment at our Cromwell, Connecticut office with the board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, please call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website. 

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April 26, 2022
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Untagged

At Feet First Foot Care, our patients are our first priority. Our Cromwell, Connecticut office offers a full array of podiatric services to help you maintain healthy feet. You can read more on this page about specific services. We recommend anyone who experiences persistent foot pain to schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. To schedule an appointment at our office, call (860)-632-5499, or visit our website for more information. Foot bones connect to form one of the most complex parts of the body. Some health conditions, injuries, and general wear and tear can cause or contribute to conditions affecting foot bones. In this blog, we hope to inform our patients of the importance of maintaining healthy feet by sharing a brief overview of the anatomy of the foot.

Foot Bones and Anatomy

The human foot consists of 26 bones connected by many joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Joints are where two bones meet. In the feet, each toe has two joints. The other four toes have three joints each. The muscles that control the movements of the foot originate in the lower leg attached to the bones in the foot with tendons. The foot divides into three sections:

  1. The forefoot contains the five toes (phalanges) and the five longer bones (metatarsals).
  2. The midfoot is a pyramid-like collection of bones that form the arches of the feet. These include the three cuneiform bones, the cuboid bone, and the navicular bone.
  3. The hindfoot forms the heel and ankle. The talus bone supports the leg bones (tibia and fibula), forming the ankle. The calcaneus (heel bone) is the largest bone in the foot.

Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. There are three major tendons that help facilitate foot movement:

  1. Achilles tendon: This is the most notable tendon of the foot, which runs from the calf muscle to the heel. It is the strongest and largest tendon in the body that makes it possible to run, jump, climb stairs, and stand on your toes.
  2. Tibialis posterior: This tendon attaches the calf muscle to the bones on the inside of the foot and supports the arch of the foot.
  3. Tibialis anterior: This runs from the outer bone of the lower leg to the tarsals and first metatarsal, which enables dorsiflexion.

Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that connect bone to bone. There are three primary ligaments of the foot:

  1. Plantar fascia: This is the longest ligament of the foot that runs from the heel to the toes to form the arch. The plantar fascia provides strength for walking and assists with balance.
  2. Plantar calcaneonavicular: This is a ligament that connects the calcaneus to the talus. It provides support to the head of the talus, which bears most of the body weight.
  3. Calcaneocuboid: This ligament connects the calcaneus to the tarsal bones. It helps the plantar fascia support the arch of the foot.
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April 19, 2022

For most children, Spring means an increase in outdoor activities. At Feet First Foot Care, we want to remind our Middlesex County patients that increased participation in outdoor activities can also increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries. Many athletes (even young) sometimes are told to “play through the pain.” Overuse injuries are a major risk factor for young children whose bones are still growing.

Tips To Prevent Common Sports Injuries

  1. Get the appropriate safety gear – helmets, goggles, boots, and any other needed equipment are essential to keeping a child’s body protected and avoiding injuries during sports.
  2. Try to have your child be engaged in physical activities throughout the winter season – It’s important to gradually increase their fitness level as the sports season approaches and encourage your child to become more active.
  3. Keep kids hydrated – drinking plenty of water before and after sports prevents cramping and other issues. Plus, it’s an opportunity for your child to rest.
  4. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons states that rubber cleats are not necessary for children under 10 – alternatively children can use an all-purpose sports shoe.
  5. Pediatric heel pain is quite different from adult heel pain – it does not get better with walking around.

Foot and Ankle Injuries in Young Athletes

It is difficult for children to articulate when they are in pain, so it is important to always keep an eye on growing feet. Generally, injuries seen in younger athletes fall into three categories: injuries related to growth, overuse injuries, or acute presentations. Overuse injuries include Stress Fractures and Achilles Tendonitis.

  • 10% of all injuries in the ER are ankle sprains
  • 83% of ankle injuries are diagnosed as ligament sprains with incomplete tears
  • 90% of ankle sprains are due to poor playing field conditions (mainly because all fields are not created equal)

Don’t Ignore Your Child’s Foot Pain

Accidents do happen! Parents and coaches should be alert to a child limping on and off the field. Parents can watch for symptoms of common sports injuries, such as pain in daily activities, swelling, or bruising. If your child hurts their foot or ankle, schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas, so he can provide the best course of treatment. Call our Cromwell, CT office at (860) 632-5499 or visit our website for more information. 

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April 12, 2022
Category: foot health

At Feet First Foot Care, we want all our Middlesex County patients to enjoy the warmer weather and maintain a healthy lifestyle comfortably. Every April, the Foot Health Awareness initiative educates people about preserving the health of their feet. It is also the time of the year when people begin to trade in their boots for sneakers and sandals. To continue to keep your body and lower extremities healthy during National Foot Health Awareness Month and beyond, here are several ways you can develop healthy habits and keep your feet injury and pain-free. 

 

Schedule A Check-Up

Foot problems may result from poorly fitting shoes or an underlying health problem like diabetes or obesity. Symptoms may be obvious but, at other times, be less noticeable. If you or anyone you know is experiencing any pain or discomfort in the lower extremities, schedule a check-up appointment with your podiatrist. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, has been specially trained in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions. 

 

Assess Your Current Footwear

Put your best foot forward this month by reviewing your footwear. The average person takes approximately 10,000 steps per day, nearly three million steps per year. It’s essential to find shoes that work for your feet. Shoes that work for you may be different for someone else. When figuring out which shoes work for you, start by asking yourself:

● “Are these shoes comfortable?” 

● “Do these shoes rub my feet anywhere?” 

● “Do I slip out of these shoes easily?”

 

Improve Foot Health

With 26 bones plus 33 joints, our feet serve as the foundation for the rest of our body. We recommend the following tips to maintain proper foot health:

● Inspect feet daily.

● Dry your feet and between your toes after showering to avoid fungal infections. Then, moisturize your feet and heels with a good lotion.

● Stretch your feet, ankles, and lower legs daily to keep the muscles strong and avoid injury.

● Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Excess weight puts pressure on the feet leading to general foot pain, heel pain, stress fractures, circulatory problems, and arthritis.

● Wear shoes with good support and a low heel.

● Don’t play doctor! If you suffer from a toe, foot, or ankle injury, seek medical attention from a podiatrist. The sooner you are treated, the better your outcome. 

 

To schedule an appointment at our Cromwell, Connecticut office, please call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information. 

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416