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

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Posts for category: foot health

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 26, 2020
Category: foot health

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists one of the conditions we see frequently in our Middlesex County patients is the ingrown toenail. Many people mistakenly ignore the first signs of pain associated with a nail that starts to grow down and back into the skin surrounding the nail. However, it quickly progresses to a condition that is incredibly painful. The toe becomes red, swollen, and very tender to the touch and makes wearing shoes and walking extremely difficult. Left untreated, an infection can also set in.

Common Causes of Ingrown Toenails

The most frequent reason ingrown toenails develop is improper nail care. Nails that are cut too short are more likely to grow into the skin. Rounding the edges with a nail file can also encourage ingrown nails.

Other risk factors include:

  • Wearing shoes and socks that are too tight
  • Heredity
  • Fungal infection
  • Faulty foot structure

Getting Relief from Ingrown Toenail Problems

At the first sign of a nail becoming ingrown, soak your foot in warm, soapy water several times a day. This will soften the skin and enable you to massage the skin and hopefully work the nail out. Usually, our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas sees ingrown toenails when they have reached the excruciating stage and patients can’t stand it any longer. The foot doctor will gently numb the affected nail and remove the corner of the nail that is ingrown. For some patients, ingrown toenails are a recurring problem. In severe cases, the podiatrist may need to perform a procedure to prevent the nail from becoming ingrown.

It’s important not to attempt any “bathroom surgeries” on your own and try to cut out an ingrown toenail. This will often lead to an injury or infection. Beware that folk remedies such as sticking a piece of cotton between the nail and the toe or cutting a notch out of the toenail are also ineffective and harmful.

If you have an ingrown toenail that needs treatment, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment today.

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By Adam Mucinskas, DPM
October 09, 2019
Category: foot health
Tags: Lisfranc injuries   joint   ligament  

Injuries to the Lisfranc joint or ligament are less common than other sports injuries. But now at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we find more patients are looking for information about this condition, probably thanks to quarterback Cam Newton of the Caroline Panthers. Earlier this season Newton was sidelined with a Lisfranc injury. Athletes who play contact sports like football are at a higher risk for Lisfranc injuries as are runners and horseback riders. This injury is also often seen in car accident victims.

Where Is the Lisfranc?

The Lisfranc joint is located in the middle of your foot where the arch bones are connected to the metatarsal bones (the long bones that go your toes). The Lisfranc ligament joins two of the joint bones together.

There are three types of Lisfranc injuries that can occur singly or in combination. These are:

  1. Fracture—one or more of the bones in the Lisfranc joint can break or a small piece of a bone may be pulled off. This is known as an avulsion fracture.
  2. Sprain—a twisting injury is usually the cause of a sprain which is an overstretching of the Lisfranc ligament. Since the Lisfranc and other ligaments on the bottom of the midfoot are stronger than the ones on top, a sprain can leave the joint unstable.
  3. Dislocation—a trauma or wrenching motion can force the joint out of its normal position.

What Are the Signs of an Injury?

Lisfranc injuries are sometimes mistaken for ankle sprains and that’s because there is some commonality of symptoms. When there is a Lisfranc injury, a patient may experience one or more of the following:

  • Pain in the midfoot when pressure is applied and when standing—in the case of a severe injury, you may not be able to bear weight on the hurt foot.
  • Blistering or bruising on the arch of the foot can be a distinguishing characteristic of a Lisfranc injury. There may also be blistering or bruising on the top of the midfoot.
  • Swelling.
  • Widening of the foot.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine the injured foot and make the appropriate diagnosis. While you wait for your appointment, stay off the hurt foot and ice the affected area to reduce swelling and pain.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 24, 2019
Category: foot health

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we hope that you are planning to get away at some point this summer. Wherever your summer vacation destination is, there are some items you should take with you to ensure the health and safety of your feet. Below are our suggestions for what to pack:

  1. Comfortable walking shoes—even if your plan is to lie out on the beach all day, you’ll need to get to and from your vacation destination. Travel days tend to be tough on the feet as you rush to catch flights or haul luggage in and out of the car. Walking shoes that have good arch support and that you’ve worn many times already will also be helpful for sightseeing and shopping days.
  2. Moleskin—sweating creates friction and can increase the risk of developing blisters. A small piece of self-adhesive moleskin applied to a sore spot can stop a blister before it starts, and allow you to continue enjoying your vacation in comfort.
  3. Flip-flops—although not recommended for all-day use on your vacation, a pair of flip-flops or shower shoes are the best way to protect your feet from athlete’s foot and other fungal infections at the pool or in ocean or lakeside changing areas and restrooms.
  4. Orthotics—if our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas has prescribed a custom orthotic to correct a foot problem, don’t take a holiday from wearing it while you’re away. Leaving your orthotic at home may result in a painful vacation for your feet.
  5. Water bottle—excessive amounts of walking and warm, humid weather can lead to edema or swelling of the feet and ankles. Swelling can be very uncomfortable and also makes your shoes tighter, which means a greater likelihood of blisters. Drinking lots of water is one of the easiest ways to eliminate excess fluids from your body and it’s good for you too!

If despite all your best efforts you return from vacation with foot or ankle pain, a rash or other suspicious symptom, contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416