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

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Posts for category: foot deformities

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
April 17, 2019
Category: foot deformities
Tags: hammertoes   corns   calluses   orthotic  

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.

What’s the Cause?

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:

  • Genetics—a predisposition to hammertoe can be inherited
  • Trauma
  • Tight shoes that force the toe to remain in a cramped position for long periods of time

Diagnosis

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.

Treatment Options

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:

  • Modifying footwear—choosing shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and avoiding pointy styles or shoes with high heels can help relieve pain and pressure on a hammertoe.
  • Exercises and physical therapy—to stretch the toe and strengthen surrounding muscles.
  • Splinting or strap—to help straighten and realign the toe.
  • Custom orthotic device—these are used in your shoes to help properly position the foot and help correct any underlying biomechanical causes of hammertoe.

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.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
March 05, 2019
Category: foot deformities

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!

What can cause bunions to develop?

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