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

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Posts for category: Foot conditions

December 28, 2021
Category: Foot conditions

A disorder at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we see more frequently in our Middlesex County patients at this time of the year is gout. Colder temperatures and festive feasting are partly to blame. That’s because this arthritic condition can be triggered by some foods that are popular during the holidays. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up to excessive levels. If the kidneys do not eliminate it, it can crystalize in one or more joints. It is more likely to crystalize under cold conditions, and that is why gout typically occurs in the big toe. That being the part of the body farthest away from the heart and therefore the coldest.

Common Gout Triggers

There are several potential causes of gout— you can control some, others you cannot.

The conditions of which you likely do not have control, are:

  • Gender—Men are more likely to get gout than women. This condition most commonly strikes men between the ages of 30-50. Women can get gout, too, however. After menopause, their levels of uric acid increase, which is when they are more likely to experience an attack.
  • Family history—Your risk for gout increases if others in your family have had this disease.
  • Injury, and surgery— These too can be potential triggers for a gout attack.

Gout triggers over which you have some control:

  • Diet—Some foods and beverages contain high levels of purines—a chemical that usually occurs in your body. When purines break down, they produce uric acid, hence why eating purine-high foods can trigger an attack of gout. These foods and beverages include shellfish, red meat, organ meats, rich sauces, legumes, drinks sweetened with fructose, beer, brandy, and red wine. Limiting your intake of these items or eliminating ones directly tied to an attack may reduce the risk of gout in the future.
  • Weight—Being overweight causes your body to produce more uric acid making it difficult for your kidneys to excrete the excess. Another way maintaining a healthy weight benefits your feet.
  • Medical conditions—some diseases and disorders increase your chances of developing gout. These include high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Following your doctor’s treatment instructions for controlling these conditions can help reduce gout risk.
  • Medications—some vitamins and medications can also increase uric acid level. These include anti-rejection drugs given for patients who have had an organ transplant, low-dose aspirin, and some blood pressure medications. You can check with your doctor to see if there are effective alternatives if you are prone to gout.

If you have experienced gout symptoms—excruciating pain in your toe, swelling, redness, and heat surrounding the joint, contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can determine if you have gout and how to manage it best.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
June 21, 2021
Category: Foot conditions
Tags: foot pain   heel pain   Bursitis  

You notice the back of your heel hurts when you’re walking or running. It’s also a little bit swollen, red, and warm. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we recognize these as potential symptoms of bursitis. Many of our Middlesex County patients are not familiar with this condition and how it can affect your feet. Below is some helpful information you should know.

Bursitis Defined

Bursas are tiny, fluid-filled sacs located near a joint, tendon, or bone. Their purpose is to provide some cushioning by reducing friction and acting as a lubricant to the area. Bursitis occurs when the bursa in a particular spot becomes inflamed or irritated. Common areas where bursitis develops in your feet in addition to the heel are the ball of the foot, toes, near the base of your Achilles, or on a bunion.

Causes

Most often, bursitis is the result of repetitive motion or pressure to the affected area. Other contributing factors may include:

  • Improperly fitting shoes
  • Not warming up and stretching sufficiently before exercise
  • Haglund’s deformity (also known as “pump bump,” a bony enlargement that forms on the back of your heel)
  • Underlying medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, gout

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect you may have bursitis, it’s important you make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. The symptoms of bursitis are also typical of other podiatric disorders. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will want to conduct a complete physical examination and get your medical history to rule out other possibilities. To confirm a diagnosis of bursitis, the podiatrist may order imaging studies such as x-rays, an MRI, or ultrasound. Sometimes a small amount of fluid will be drawn from the bursa and sent to the lab to be analyzed.

The good news is most patients with bursitis recover using conservative treatment methods. The foot doctor may recommend rest from the activities that are aggravating your bursa. Icing and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to relieve pain. Physical therapy and stretching exercises may also be prescribed.

Don’t suffer unnecessarily. If you are experiencing any pain or other unusual symptoms in your feet, contact us today, 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 07, 2020
Category: Foot conditions

At Feet First Foot Care, we’re hearing from many of our Middlesex County patients that they are taking up the sport of running. The pandemic has made some people re-think their fitness plans, and running while maintaining safe social distance and avoiding venues where there are many other people. We applaud our patients for making regular exercise a priority but also want to help protect them from some podiatric problems that runners often face.

Here are some common injuries and disorders associated with running and how to prevent them:

  1. Achilles Tendonitis—this inflammation of the long tendon that runs along the back of your lower leg from calf to heel is especially common in new runners or those who are becoming active again after a long period of inactivity. Being overly enthusiastic and jumping into long, intense runs without the proper conditioning can result in severe pain to the Achilles tendon. Running hills and sprints can also increase the risk of this condition. Start slowly and increase the pace and duration gradually. Be sure to include stretches for the calves in your warm-ups and cooldowns.

  2. Ankle Sprains—landing the wrong way on your foot and twisting an ankle can happen when you run. If you have chronic weak ankles, be sure the running shoes you purchase will provide firm ankle support. Choose a place to run such as a school track, that is unlikely to have holes, divots, or debris that can cause an ankle-twisting to occur.

  3. Athlete’s Foot—you may not associate fungal infection with running.  However, your feet will be spending regular time in a moist, dark, warm place (your sneakers!), and those are the perfect breeding conditions for bacteria and fungi. Don’t wear the same pair of socks for more than one day and air out your shoes between runs. Practice good basic hygiene and wash your feet daily. Use an antifungal or foot powder if foot odor is a problem.

  4. Heel Pain—the repetitive pressure your heels experience when running can result in pain. If you have flat feet or a tendency to overpronate, you may also have an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot, which can also lead to heel pain. Additional arch support or a custom orthotic may help.

The bottom line is if you experience any acute or ongoing pain or discomfort after you start a running program, it’s essential that you contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and determine the source of the discomfort before a worse injury occurs.

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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 Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
December 26, 2018
Category: Foot conditions

Even with the freezing temperatures we’re experiencing here in Connecticut, are you still dealing with extra sweaty feet? Sweaty feet are typically associated with summer heat waves, but here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we talk to patients year-round who are dealing with sweaty feet. There’s a condition called hyperhidrosis that can cause people to sweat excessively, despite the temperature outside!

How do I know if I have hyperhidrosis?

Here are a few clues to look for to determine if you have hyperhidrosis:

  • Your feet sweat excessively all the time. Even in the winter months, your feet seem to be sweating.
  • Your palms also frequently tend to get sweaty.
  • You feel sweaty even when people around you don’t. (Often people with hyperhidrosis have a lower “set point,” that triggers their bodies to begin sweating at lower temperatures than normal.)
  • Feet have a wet and whitish appearance.
  • You often get fungal foot infections (fungi are attracted to moist, warm places).
  • You have noticeable foot odor daily. Odor arises when sweat interacts with bacteria which produce bad smells.

Drier feet can be achieved!

If you think you have hyperhidrosis, get in touch with us today. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet thoroughly and determine if you have this condition. If you do, there are a number of treatment options available. Hyperhidrosis treatment ranges from medication to noninvasive procedures called iontophoresis, which utilizes a mild electrical current to help reduce sweating in your feet. If you have a severe case, there is a surgical procedure that can be performed. The surgery interrupts the nerve signals that control sweating on their way to the brain.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, there are several steps you can take that will help with your sweaty feet. Try these:

  • Wash your feet daily using antibacterial soap.
  • Dry your feet completely after each wash and apply foot powder or cornstarch.
  • Wear moisture-wicking socks and shoes that allow your feet to breath.
  • Bring an extra pair of socks and change if you notice your feet getting damp.

If you’re dealing with extra sweaty feet or any other foot or ankle issue, it’s time to give us a call! Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC keeps up to date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently-located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416