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

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Posts for category: shoes

August 22, 2019
Category: shoes

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that as summer winds down many parents are getting ready for that annual back to school shopping excursion. The new shoes you buy for your child can help them move to the head of the class in podiatric health. Conversely, shoes that get failing marks can lead to foot pain and injury. Below are some tips to help you get the best shoes for your child.

  • Start by examining their old shoes. Unevenly worn heels or insoles may indicate a defect in the biomechanics of your child’s feet. Make an appointment at our Cromwell office for a complete podiatric checkup. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will diagnose any foot or ankle problems and can make recommendations for shoe styles that will best accommodate your child’s particular feet.
  • Get your child’s feet measured professionally. Don’t be surprised if one foot is larger than the other—this is actually quite common. Buy shoes to fit the bigger foot.
  • Don’t buy shoes without having your child try them on. Children’s feet change quickly, and different brands may fit differently even if they are the same size. Children should try on both shoes and walk around for a while in the store to ensure that shoes are comfortable. Check younger children’s feet after to be sure there are no red marks or irritation.
  • Plan your shoe shopping trip for late afternoon or evening. Feet are largest at the end of the day and this will help ensure that shoes feel comfortable all day.
  • Have your child try on the shoes you are buying with the type of socks or tights they will wear with the shoes.
  • Don’t hand down shoes to younger siblings. Each person’s foot is uniquely shaped and that impacts the wear pattern of the shoe. Sharing footwear also increases the risk for fungal infection.

Educating your child now about making sound footwear purchases will help teach them the importance of taking good care of their feet for a lifetime. If you have additional questions about shoes, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 17, 2019
Category: shoes
Tags: good shoes   custom orthotic  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we always stress to our patients that perhaps the single biggest way to protect the health of your feet is by wearing good shoes. Just what exactly do we mean by “good shoes?” Below are three areas to consider when buying new shoes:

Basics—start with quality materials that allow your feet to breathe. Don’t buy a pair of shoes based on their looks. Go for a durable design that will protect your feet. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers a list of shoes and manufacturers that are foot doctor-approved at this site: https://www.apma.org/Patients/CompanyList.cfm?navItemNumber=544.

Style—there are certain features that will ensure good podiatric health and reduce the risk of foot pain. These include:

  • A wide, roomy toe box that does not squeeze toes
  • Heels that are 2 inches or less
  • A molded and/or cushioned footbed that will stabilize feet and absorb shock
  • Good arch support

Fit—finding a good shoe is half the battle, but a proper fit is essential for making sure your shoe will not harm your foot and ankle health. Some tips for making sure your shoes fit the way they should include:

  • Shop at the end of the day when feet are at their most swollen.
  • Wear the type of socks you plan to use with the shoes you are buying. If your podiatrist has prescribed a custom orthotic, be sure to bring it with you to try with the shoes.
  • Have your foot professionally measured. Foot size can change as you age. If one foot is bigger than the other, always buy for the larger foot.
  • Always try on both shoes and walk around for a good while to make sure shoes are comfortable and don’t pinch or rub anywhere.

If you have a chronic podiatric condition, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can make recommendations of specific styles that will best accommodate your condition. Contact our Cromwell office at (860) 632-5499 to make an appointment.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 26, 2019
Category: shoes

It’s summertime and you slip on your favorite pair of sandals and look in the mirror. What you see isn’t pretty. Unfortunately, open summer styles make it difficult to escape certain foot disorders that have unsightly symptoms. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to encourage patients to make an appointment to come see us if you notice unusual symptoms in your feet.

Below are some common podiatric disorders you may be seeing:

Haglund’s Deformity—more commonly known as “pump bump,” this painful bony enlargement at the back of the heel may be more visible but less painful at this time of year if you switch to open back shoes. That’s because stiff-backed shoes like pumps and other dress shoes, certain boots and even ice skates can aggravate the bony enlargement, causing inflammation and pain.

Bunions—a large bump at the base of the big toe is the telltale sign of a bunion. A bunion occurs when the big toe begins to drift toward the second toe. Although a defect in foot structure is the root cause of a bunion, wearing shoes that squeeze the toes together or high heels which force feet forward can exacerbate a bunion and cause it to worsen. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your toe and foot and most likely order x-rays to get a complete picture of the condition of the toe joint. Treatment will depend on the severity of the bunion.

Fungal Toenails—do you have one or more toenails that appear thickened and discolored? This can be the sign of a fungal nail infection. In some cases, the nail may also be crumbling or peeling at the edges. Since fungal nails are often not painful, patients tend to put off seeking treatment for them, especially if they’re under wraps in socks and closed shoe styles. There are a few treatment options for fungal nails, but they can take quite a while to be fully eradicated.

If your summer shoes are revealing foot disorders with unattractive symptoms, don’t wait any longer. Contact our Cromwell office and get your foot issue taken care of.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
February 06, 2019
Category: shoes

Here’s a surprising statistic: According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, 9 out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small for their feet and 8 out of 10 women say their shoes hurt. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we want our patients to know that too-tight shoes can lead to a myriad of foot issues. Here are a few of the common foot problems we see due to improperly-fitting shoes:

  • Ingrown toenails – if shoes are too tight in the toe box, toes get cramped in together. This greatly increases the chances of getting an ingrown toenail. A jagged-edged nail or one that is too short being shoved into the skin around the nail can start growing back into the skin. Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful and can lead to infection if the skin is penetrated and bacteria enter the wound.
  • Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus – fungi and bacteria absolutely love damp, dark places with little or no air circulation. That sounds exactly like the environment created inside a shoe that’s too small!
  • Bunions, hammertoes, or other deformities – when toes are forced into an unnatural position over and over, such as being crammed together in a small shoe, they can eventually work themselves out of their normal position. As displacement progresses, bones can become deformed, causing permanent disabilities as a new toe position can be painful and change a person’s gait.
  • Corns, calluses, and blisters – these three issues are caused by friction or pressure being applied to an area of the foot repeatedly.

The best way to avoid any and all of these issues is to shop for shoes properly! Always have your feet measured by a professional when you shoe shop. Age or life conditions such as pregnancy can change your foot size and shape. If you know you need new shoes, try to go out shopping for them at the end of the day when your feet are their most swollen.

If you’ve got questions about fitting shoes, or if you’re dealing with any of the above-listed foot issues, give us a call today. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help to answer any questions you might have. He’s got years of experience to diagnose and treat any foot or ankle issue and get you back on your feet quickly. Our conveniently-located office serves the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 03, 2018
Category: shoes

We talk about the importance of wearing the right kind of shoes often, but did you know that laces are an equally important part of keeping your feet safe? There are so many ways to mix and match shoelace colors, styles, shapes, and sizes to add some flair to your feet. But did you know that proper lacing can help prevent foot and ankle injury?

Shoelace tips

  • Loosen your laces before slipping your foot in. You can stress your foot trying to contort it into a too-tight shoe. It can also wear down your shoe faster.
  • Lace starting from the holes closest to your toes up. This will ensure stability and a solid fit.
  • Pull laces tightly after lacing through the eyelets. Leave no excess lace so that the shoe fits nice and snug.
  • More eyelets generally mean a better fit for the shoe.

Lacing tips for narrow feet

If you have narrow feet, you should lace your shoes using the holes farthest away from the tongue of the shoe. This will provide solid fit and stability.

Lacing tips for wide feet

If your feet are on the wide side, utilize the inner eyelets to lace up your shoes. It tightens the shoe closer to the center and prevents any rubbing and chafing on the outside of your feet.

Why should I bother lacing right?

Lacing right can help alleviate or prevent foot pain and injury. It’s extra important to utilize all of the eyelets provided when you lace your shoes up. Make sure you lace anything closest to the heel the tightest. If you are experiencing Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis, this will help to mitigate any pain you are experiencing in your heel and provide stability and support throughout your day.

Have your shoes been laced up incorrectly causing you a foot or ankle injury? Call our office here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists! Our Podiatrist, 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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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416