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

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 13, 2019
Category: heel pain

One of the most common causes of heel pain that we treat at Feet First Foot Care Specialists is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, stretching from your heel to your toes. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, it creates pain in the heel and arch of the foot. Faulty foot structure is most often at the root of plantar fasciitis. Patients who have flat feet or high arches are prone to this disorder. Other factors that increase the risk for plantar fasciitis are being overweight, wearing shoes with poor arch support and having a job that keeps you on your feet for long hours. Serious athletes may also develop plantar fasciitis from repetitive stress on the feet.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In addition to pain, patients with plantar fasciitis may see swelling on the bottom of the heel. The pain may gradually increase over time and be worse after periods of rest or first thing in the morning. Heel pain can have other causes, however. These include:

Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will want to do a complete examination of your feet and heels and go over your medical history to rule out other possible problems. A digital x-ray (which can be done in our Cromwell office) or other imaging tests may be ordered as well.

If you do have plantar fasciitis, there are a number of treatment methods available. The podiatrist will develop the best treatment plan for you which may include the following:

If you are suffering from heel pain and discomfort, don’t wait. Contact us today for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 04, 2019
Category: Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want our patients to leave our Cromwell office feeling satisfied and confident about the information they have received from our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas. This requires some preparation on the part of you, the patient. It’s also important to be sure you understand any information you receive from the foot doctor regarding your condition and treatment.

Below are some do’s and don’ts for having a productive experience:

Do: make list of any questions you have or symptoms you want the podiatrist to address at your appointment. Write them down and bring with you to the office.

Do: bring your sports or exercise shoes with you if your foot pain or discomfort is related to a fitness activity.

Don’t: hesitate to bring along a family member or friend to be a second set of ears at your appointment if you are afraid you won’t remember everything.

Do: inform the office ahead of time if you have special needs.

Do: let the podiatrist know if you have any allergies and also if you are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant.

Do: have a list of all the medications you are currently taking.

Don’t: hesitate to ask the foot doctor to go over any part of your diagnosis or treatment plan that you don’t fully understand. If the podiatrist has prescribed medication for your foot ailment, be sure you are clear on how and when it is to be taken.

Do: schedule a follow up appointment if the podiatrist has requested one before you leave the office.

Don’t: hesitate to contact us for test results if you have not heard back from us in the timeframe you were told to expect.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, our goal is providing you and your family with the very best podiatric care. We value your feedback and encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 29, 2019
Tags: foot odor   sweaty feet  

We’re all familiar with the children’s Halloween rhyme, “Trick or treat, smell my feet.” At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, however, we know that if you suffer from foul foot odor, it’s nothing to joke about. Smelly feet are the result of the interaction between perspiration and bacteria that thrive in your socks and shoes. Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body, approximately 3,000 per square inch, so it’s not surprising that perspiration problems commonly occur here.

If you are suffering from excessively sweaty and stinky feet, make an appointment at our Cromwell office at your earliest convenience by calling (860) 632-5499. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will want to check on the cause of your foot odor issue. In some patients, an inherited condition called hyperhidrosis may be at the root of the problem. Stress, certain medications and hormonal problems can also increase perspiration production.

In most cases, however, you can get foot odor under control with a few simple, preventative measures:

  1. Change your socks every day and multiple times per day if necessary. A good way to reduce foot odor is by not letting your feet sit in damp socks.
  2. Bathe your feet using warm water and soap every day. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly before putting on socks and shoes.
  3. Don’t wear closed shoes without socks.
  4. Avoid plastic shoes and nylon socks. These types of materials hold sweat in. Choose materials like canvas and leather or other materials that let your feet breathe.
  5. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Allow at least 24 hours for shoes to air out before you wear them again. Serious athletes who work out daily may want to invest in a second pair of sneakers to avoid foot odor.
  6. Look for socks that are made of material that wicks moisture away from your feet. 
  7. Dust your feet with powder to keep dry. You can even try using an antiperspirant stick on the bottom of your feet.
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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 21, 2019
Category: Foot conditions

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, the health of your feet is our number one priority. One way we encourage our patients to keep their feet healthy is by contacting our Cromwell office as soon as they experience pain or other unusual foot symptoms. This way, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your feet and determine if there is a foot disorder present. However, there are many ways you can be good to your feet when they’re not hurting so that they can continue to enable you to live the active life you love.

  • Get your feet professionally measured. Did you know that some studies show that 90% of people are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet? Cramped toe boxes can increase the risk and severity of bunions and hammertoes.
  • Don’t wear flat shoes. For proper alignment and biomechanical functioning, your arches need support. When feet are flat, it causes heel pain and can lead to plantar fasciitis.
  • Wash your feet every day. This simple act can help prevent many foot infections.
  • Keep an extra pair of socks in your bag. Fungi love moist, warm, dark places. When your feet sit in damp socks, you are creating the perfect environment for fungal infections to thrive.
  • Don’t go barefoot. Keeping your feet covered will lower your risk for athlete’s foot, fungal toenails and warts—all of which are spread by direct contact.
  • Don’t file your toenails with rounded edges. This encourages the nail to grow downward and can lead to painful ingrown toenails.
  • Exercise regularly. This has several benefits for your feet. First, it keeps them flexible and helps maintain range of motion. Regular exercise also reduces the risk and the severity of arthritic conditions. In addition, it helps prevent heart disease and high blood pressure which can cause harm to your feet.
  • Skip the second helpings. A lower weight means less strain on your feet and ankles.

If you have health concerns about your feet or questions about being proactive about their health, contact us at (860) 632-5499.

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By Adam Mucinskas, DPM
October 14, 2019

It’s officially boot season! At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to help our patients avoid podiatric pain and problems by giving some tips on how to find boots that are not only fashionable but good for your feet.

Below is a checklist of features to look for:

  • Roomy toe box—boots that are pointy and narrow squish toes together and increase the risk and severity of conditions like bunions and hammertoes. If your toes are squeezed up against each other for long hours, you are also more likely to develop ingrown toenails.
  • Good arch support—oftentimes, we see patients in our Cromwell office complaining of heel pain during the winter months. The cause turns out to be fashion boots that have little or no arch support. Proper arch support keeps your plantar fascia—the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot—happy, which in turn reduces pressure and pain in both your arch and your heel.
  • Cushioned insoles and heel cups—think of how many steps you take each day. The constant pounding of your feet against the ground can result in foot pain and tendon inflammation. Thick cushioning in the inside of your boots will act as a shock absorber, protecting your feet and increasing comfort.
  • Ankle protection—when conditions get slippery, ankle sprain risk skyrockets. Be sure your boots fit your ankles securely and avoid thin, high heels that are unstable by design. Look for a gripping tread on the boot as well to further reduce your risk of trips and falls.

Once you’ve found a boot that meets the above qualifications, get a proper fit. Have your foot professionally measured. If our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas has prescribed a custom orthotic device for you to wear, be sure to bring it with you and try it on with the boots you are considering. Shop at the end of the day—it’s when your feet are at their largest and most swollen.

If you have additional questions about shoe styles that are best for your feet, contact us by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416