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Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for category: foot pain

By Feet First Foot Care
March 01, 2022
Category: foot pain

Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis, also known as “overuse” disorders, are usually caused by an increase of repetitive activity that involves the Achilles tendon. The structure of the tendon fibers has been altered, resulting in ongoing pain. Repetitive motion puts excess strain on the tendon, and due to this constant stress, the body is unable to repair the injured tissue as it usually would. 

 

Although this can happen to anyone at any age, athletes are at high risk for developing Achilles tendon disorders. Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis are common in individuals whose work puts stress on their ankles and feet. In addition, people that also suffer from flat feet tend to develop Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis. It is due to the greater demands placed on the tendon when walking.

 

What is the Achilles Tendon?

 

The Achilles tendon is the band of tissue that runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Sometimes also referred to as the heel cord, the Achilles tendon facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off the ground. 

 

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

 

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This inflammation is typically short-lived. Over time, if not resolved, the condition can progress and degenerate the tendon (when the tendon loses its structure) is more likely to develop microscopic tears. Chronic degeneration with or without pain may result in rupture of the tendon in more rare cases.

 

Signs and Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Disorder:

 

  • Pain, aching, stiffness, soreness, or tenderness within the tendon
  • Tenderness or intense pain when pressing the sides of the tendon
  • A popping or snapping sensation
  • Swelling on the back of the leg between the heel and the calf
  • Difficulty and pain when walking uphill or up stairs

The symptoms listed above require medical attention to prevent further damage.

 

Until the patient can see a doctor, we recommend the R-I-C-E method, which involves:  

 

Rest: Stay off the injured foot and ankle since walking can cause pain or further damage.

Ice:  Apply a bag of ice covered with a thin towel to reduce swelling and pain. 

Compression: Wrap the foot and ankle in an elastic bandage to prevent further swelling.

Elevation: Keep the leg elevated to reduce swelling. 

 

 At Feet First Foot Care LLC, our leading podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas has experience treating this condition. To schedule an appointment, call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information. 

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
March 15, 2021
Category: foot pain

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we are seeing an increase in Middlesex County patients' visits with unexplained foot pain. Patients are particularly puzzled because many of them have been doing very little except working from home and have severely limited their activities due to the COVID restrictions. If you're one of these people, we have one question for you: Are you wearing shoes when you're at home? If you answered no, that might be the cause of your foot pain.

The Problem of Going Barefoot

It’s a common habit for many people to come home at the end of the day and kick their shoes off. Going barefoot or wearing your favorite cozy slippers may seem natural and relaxing, but what about when you’re not “coming home?” If you never leave the house and barefoot has become your daily “shoe” of choice, you may notice your feet don’t feel so good.

Some podiatric disorders that can result from too much time out of shoes include:

  • Plantar Fasciitis—pain in the heel caused by inflammation of the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to toes
  • Metatarsalgia—a sharp or burning pain in the ball of your foot
  • Achilles tendonitis—usually identifiable by pain, aching, or soreness in the back of your lower leg anywhere from the calf to the top of your heel

Why Wearing Shoes Helps

One of the most important ways shoes help prevent the above conditions is by providing your foot with arch support. When your arch flattens as it tends to do when you walk barefoot or wear shoes like slippers or flip flops with no arch support, it places strain on other parts of your foot and leg. It, in turn, leads to inflammation and pain. Besides helping prevent the above conditions, wearing shoes also protect your feet and toes from getting stubbed or banged on hard objects and from cuts or puncture wounds.

If you’re experiencing pain in your toes, feet, ankles, or legs, make an appointment at our Cromwell office for an appointment today by calling 860-632-5499 so our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and get to the source of your discomfort. In the meantime, put on a good pair of shoes—even if you’re staying home!

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
December 07, 2020
Category: foot pain

The holiday season means long hours on your feet, and at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we often find more of our Middlesex County patients asking why they’re experiencing pain in the ball of the foot. Pain in this area can be very debilitating because every step you take requires pressure on this part of the foot.

Below are 3 potential causes for discomfort in the ball of the foot and what to do about them:

  1. Capsulitis—inflammation of the ligament on the bottom of your foot is the source of this disorder. The cause of Capsulitis could be poorly fitting shoes or repetitive activities requiring you to bend your toes, like climbing a ladder. In some cases, a trauma or biomechanical problem with your foot can be the source of the discomfort.

  2. Metatarsalgia—there are five bones in your feet that lead to your toes, known as metatarsals. When one of the joints of these bones becomes aggravated due to arthritis, injury, or spending extended periods standing on hard surfaces, you may experience pain in the ball of the foot from metatarsalgia.
     
  3. Sesamoiditis—patients with this condition say it sometimes feels like there’s a rock in their shoe. Sesamoids are tiny bones that are embedded in muscles or only connected to tendons. Two of them are present in each of your feet at the base of the big toe. In addition to pain, if you have sesamoiditis, you may also notice swelling or bruising, and it may be difficult to straighten your toe.

Getting Relief from Foot Pain

The only way to determine the source and treatment for your ball of foot pain is to have your feet evaluated by Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. The foot doctor will examine your feet and ask questions about your work and other activities that may be putting undue stress on the forefoot. Once the podiatrist knows which condition you have and why he can prescribe the appropriate treatment to stop the pain and let you get on with the holidays. Contact our Cromwell office today by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
March 16, 2020
Category: foot pain
Tags: fracture   sesamoids   pressure  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we’ve seen rising temperatures in Middlesex county. If you’ve been inspired to get outside and get active and you’ve now begun to feel pain in the ball of your foot, you may have aggravated your sesamoids. These tiny bones (about the size of a corn kernel) are located on the bottom of your forefoot near your big toe. Sesamoids are connected to tendons or embedded in muscle. They are a unique structure found in only a few places in your body. For your foot, the sesamoids provide a smooth surface that facilitates the sliding of the tendons that transmit muscle force and help you elevate your big toe when you walk. Although these bones are small, they can cause significant pain when they become inflamed.

Protecting Your Sesamoids

The source of sesamoid problems is pressure and overuse. Like other bones, sesamoids can fracture. More often, however, is that the tendons surrounding the sesamoids become inflamed and irritated, causing a form of tendonitis known as sesamoiditis. This condition is common in runners, baseball catchers, dancers, and anyone whose fitness activities focus pressure on the ball of the foot.

If you’ve aggravated your sesamoids, in addition to the pain, you may notice swelling or bruising and difficulty bending and straightening your big toe. Fortunately, sesamoid discomfort usually responds to conservative treatment methods. The first step is having your foot examined by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. If sesamoiditis is confirmed, the foot doctor will want you to rest from activities that cause the pain. He may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and icing the sole of your foot to relieve pain. Once the inflammation subsides, wearing shoes that have low heeled and soft-soled, along with extra cushioning in your shoes may help prevent future sesamoid problems.

If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms in the ball of your foot, our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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