(860) 632-5499
Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416
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Do you notice that your second, third or fourth toe appears to be bending at the middle joint? This can be an early sign of a deformity known as hammertoe. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want patients to better understand this condition and the importance of seeking treatment early.
Hammertoes are the result of an abnormality in the balance of the muscles in the toes. Factors that can increase the risk of a hammertoe developing include:
As the toe becomes more bent, the pain from walking and pressure from shoes increase. Secondary problems like corns and calluses may also develop on the affected toe. In addition to pain and discomfort, however, an even greater reason to seek treatment is to prevent the toe from becoming permanently rigid in that position. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will prescribe the treatment that is best for you. Some possibilities for relief include:
A last resort, if conservative measures don’t bring relief, is a surgical procedure to correct the hammertoe.
If you believe you have a hammertoe forming, contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
Are you wondering if you’re at risk of developing bunions? Looking at the statistics, recent studies have shown that nearly 23% of people ranging from 18 to 65 years of age have developed bunions. When you look at populations 65 and older, that percentage jumps to nearly 35%.
While bunions are sometimes perceived as an inevitable condition pertaining to growing older, similarly to how arthritis is sometimes perceived, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Avoiding the development of bunions as we grow older can become a difficult task, but considering bunions are a bone deformity, they are anything but natural or inevitable. Among the statistics previously mentioned, a good portion of those individuals affected by bunion development has inherited their vulnerability to this deformity through their relatives. This means that someone whose grandmother and mother have both developed bunions is much more prone to developing bunions themselves. It ‘runs in the family,’ so to speak!
Shoes - when you wear unsupportive shoes, shoes that are too tight, or shoes that put immense pressure on your toes (i.e., high heels), this can trigger the development of a bunion deformity.
Genetics - look at the toes in your family! If two or more family members have bunions, it’s possible that bunion development could be hereditary.
Arthritis - folks with arthritis often develop issues in their extremities first. This includes our toes which can develop bunions due to the onset of arthritis.
Bunions can be caused by several different factors, but they all lead to the same result: a bony growth on the outer edge of your big toe that pushes the toe inward, causing pain and tenderness. Once bunions have become noticeable or painful, there isn’t much you can do to reverse the deformity besides surgical intervention. While surgery isn’t always necessary, there are ways to help it feel better and prevent it from worsening! This is where Dr. Adam Mucinskas comes in at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule an appointment.
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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416