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

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Posts for category: ankle pain, ankle conditions

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
December 22, 2020

The winter storm season has officially begun in Middlesex County.  At Feet First Foot Care Specialists we know that means our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will be seeing more patients at our Cromwell office (860-632-5499) with ankle sprains. Slippery conditions are one factor that increases the risk of an ankle-twisting sprain and other injuries.

Here are 4 easy steps you can take to prevent ankle sprains:

  1. Choose safe shoes. It sounds rather obvious, but high heels and ice are an invitation for slips and falls. But, when you’re running late on holiday errands and need to make quick visits, people tend to forget the icy conditions on the ground! Always wear (or keep in your car) a pair of boots or sturdy shoes that have a good gripping tread on the bottom for when the weather turns bad.

  2. Carry less. At this time of year, with all the shopping going on, it’s typical to have an armload of packages that can impede your view of what’s in front of you, making it easy to miss a curb or trip over an object in your path. Not having your hands free also decreases your ability to balance and break your fall if you do stumble.

  3. Allow extra time. Like our suggestion to choose proper footwear, rushing causes you to overlook potential hazards, moving too quickly can lead to an injury. Give yourself extra time to get ready, and to get where you're going whether by foot, car, or other modes of transportation.

  4. Don’t ignore foot pain. During this busy season, many patients put off getting a foot or ankle pain evaluated. Being in pain can change how you walk because you try to maneuver in a way that avoids the discomfort. This throws you off balance and increases fall risk. Contact us to get foot pain checked out promptly.

We wish all our patients a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
April 09, 2019
Tags: sprained   fracture   bruising   swelling  

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.

 

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 16, 2018

People often think that podiatrists only deal in feet but, the truth is, here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we look at your lower limbs as a whole. This includes ankle injuries and chronic ankle problems. As football season rages on, we see headline after headline of players benched due to ankle injuries. A big reason athletes suffer from chronic ankle issues is that they can’t take the time away from the game to allow their ankle to completely heal – their teammates need them, but so does their health!

We see plenty of patients here with chronic ankle pain and instabilities who are not professional athletes. Often their issues are due to old ankle injuries that weren’t properly rehabilitated. When you sprain your ankle, your ligaments overstretch or sometimes even tear. When the pain subsides, many patients consider themselves healed and resume their normal daily activities. Unfortunately, retraining and rehabilitating that damaged tissue and building supportive muscle up around it takes more time.

Chronic Ankle Condition Symptoms

If you’ve suffered multiple ankle sprains in your life, you might have chronic ankle conditions. Other indicators include:

  • Pain and tenderness in your ankle
  • Wobbly feelings in your ankles
  • Swelling in your ankles
  • Constantly twisting your ankle when playing sports, walking on uneven surfaces, or even standing still.

We Can Help Improve Ankle Stability

If you’re dealing with any of the above symptoms or if you have a sprain that you think might not be fully healed, call our office today. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will examine your ankle, checking your range of motion and asking questions about pain, swelling, or other sensations. If needed, x-rays or other internal imaging will be ordered to more closely examine your ankle’s condition.

Once Dr. Mucinskas has determined how extensive your ankle problems are, he will discuss all of the non-surgical treatment options available. These options include:

  • Medication to help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
  • Braces or orthotics
  • Physical therapy to help repair any ligament damage and build muscles to prevent future sprains

If you’re suffering from painful ankles, make an appointment today at Feet First Foot Care Specialists! Dr. Adam Mucinskas 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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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 10, 2018

Each of your feet has 33 joints, each of which can be afflicted with arthritis. Arthritis is a disease that can greatly impact your feet and your quality of life. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we answer tons of questions about arthritis. Many people consider it to be a disease that only comes on with aging. The truth is, of the 50 million adults who suffer from arthritis, two-thirds are under 65 years old. There are also about 300,000 children in the U.S. with arthritis. We thought we’d take the time to address any other arthritis questions with this blog.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease – it’s not just one single disease. Over 100 kinds of arthritis exist. The two most common types are:

  • Osteoarthritis – this “wear and tear” arthritis occurs as the lubrication and cartilage in your joints wears down.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – this is an autoimmune disease that causes joint pain.

Who is at risk for arthritis?

Arthritic disorders can afflict anyone, regardless of their age, race, or gender. Here are a few factors that put people at a higher risk though:

  • Genes – arthritis can be hereditary.
  • Previous joint injuries – if you’ve hurt a joint in the past, it will more likely develop arthritis as you age.
  • Weight – obesity puts extra strains on your joints, which can accelerate arthritic conditions.

How will I know if I have arthritis and what should I do?

If you have pain, stiffness, swelling, or redness in your joints, or decreased range of motion, you likely have arthritis. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, it’s time to give us a call today. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will examine your feet and ankles using x-rays, MRI’s, or other imaging studies and laboratory tests. This will help him determine the type of arthritis you’re suffering from. The earlier you catch arthritis, the better the treatment will be.

If you’re suffering from painful joints, call our office here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists! Dr. Adam Mucinskas 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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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
August 09, 2018
Tags: pattern   orthotic  

If you have pain in your feet and ankles, there’s a good chance it is affecting more than just your feet and ankles. Often when our feet hurt, we put some ice on it, take a quick break, and then get right back to what we were doing. We even just ignore the pain and hope it will subside on its own. Unfortunately, this can have lasting consequences on not just your feet and ankles, but also your hips, back, neck, and even your head. Here are some foot and ankle issues that can affect your whole body and vice-versa:

ankle

  • Incorrect gait – The way you walk is called your gait, and your walking pattern affects your whole body. If you have a limp or are distributing your weight unevenly, the pain can quietly travel up to your knees and eventually your back. An incorrect gait can also up the risk of rolling or twisting your ankle. Get your gait assessed by your podiatrist. A fix could be as simple as slipping a custom orthotic into your shoes.
  • Pinched nerve – A compressed nerve in your back can cause pain in many different parts of your body, sometimes even evading the area where the nerve is pinched! If you notice shooting pain or tingling randomly occurring in your feet and/or your back, get it assessed as soon as you can.
  • Foot drop – If you are physically unable to lift your foot up to walk, this could be an ankle or back issue. If you are also experiencing pain radiating from your calf to the top of your big toe, it is most likely something going on in your back.
  • Inability to walk on tip-toes – Tip-toeing is something you learn to do at such a young age that you might not realize how many parts of your body work together to make it happen. Your leg, ankle, and feet need the strength, stability, balance and flexibility to sustain it. Back pain could be contributing to this issue. It might not seem like an obvious connection, but tell your podiatrist if you are unable to stand on your tiptoes.

Are you experiencing pain in your feet and ankles that might stem from back pain? Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help answer any questions you might have about your feet and ankle health. We feature innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416