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

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
March 30, 2020
Category: shoes

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know our Middlesex County patients are getting bored with being stuck at home because of the coronavirus. It’s important to try to do something positive at this time. How about cleaning out your shoe closet? The virus won’t last forever. Sort out your shoes now and you’ll be ready to greet spring and resume your social life in style. 

What to Toss

Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will tell you that the wrong shoes is a top cause of foot pain. In fact, many common podiatric problems including, chronic ankle instability, plantar fasciitis, and flat feet can all be caused or made worse by improper shoes. Below are some tips for sorting them out:

  • Start by getting rid of any shoes that are damaged or worn out. Shoes with holes stretched out backs and other defects can easily lead to a trip and fall injury.
  • Do you have any shoes that felt too small or that have very narrow or pointy toe boxes? It’s a surprising fact that 9 out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small for their feet. Cramped toe boxes can accelerate the progression of bunions, hammertoes, and other toe deformities. They can also cause ingrown toenails to develop. Once you can go out again, have your feet professionally measured for a proper fit and replace the pairs you are getting rid of.
  • Let’s talk about heels. Your feet have probably already let you know this, but high, spiky heels hurt! They are also unstable and force your feet forward, putting excessive pressure on the ball of your foot. If you can’t bear to part with all your heels, get rid of some of the worst offenders and limit the time you spend in the rest.
  • Over the limit athletic shoes. Did you know that walking and running shoes have a lifespan? Most of them lose their impact protection between 300-400 miles. Even if they still feel comfortable, they should be discarded once they reach that point.

We hope all our patients are staying safe. As always, you can contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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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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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416