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

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Posts for category: sports injuries

January 25, 2022
Category: sports injuries

The recent snow and cold temperatures have set the scene for winter fun! At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want our Middlesex County patients to get out and safely enjoy skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowboarding, or simply taking a winter wonderland walk.

5 ways to avoid common podiatric problems and injuries associated with winter sports:

  1. Always wear the proper footwear for the activity. Good traction is key in slippery conditions. If you’re out walking, choose boots with deep treads on the sole, not a smooth surface. Check winter sport boots to ensure they don’t need replacement. For children especially, check that they haven’t outgrown their current footwear. When renting ski boots and skates, be sure the size is correct—even if it means a few extra minutes before you can hit the ice or the slopes.

  2. Enlist the aid of good socks. Keeping feet warm and dry will enable you to enjoy your sport comfortably for several hours. While multiple pairs may help, the material of the socks also matters. Look for thin, moisture-wicking synthetic socks to wear closest to your skin, and add a second heavier pair on top for warmth. Reducing sweat means reducing friction, and the chances of getting a blister that ruins your winter fun. Padded socks can also decrease blister risk and increase comfort.

  3. Know your limits. No double black diamond or expert courses for beginners, or those that haven’t been on the slopes in a while. Choose the duration and difficulty level of your outing to coincide with your current fitness and ability level to avoid sprains, fractures, and other sports injuries. Use proper form and warm up before you start.

  4. Take time for daily care. Massaging in a rich moisturizer after showering and before bed will help prevent painful heel cracks, a common condition during the winter. Applying foot powder or roll-on antiperspirant in the morning to the soles of your feet will help them stay dry and reduce the risk of athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.

  5. Don’t play through pain. If you believe you have injured your foot or ankle somehow, stop. Continuing to put weight on the injured foot will only result in a worse or possibly even an additional injury. Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to arrange to see our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. While you wait for your appointment, use the RICE regimen (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and stay off the affected foot as much as possible.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
March 10, 2020
Category: sports injuries

It’s time for March Madness, and we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists know that many of our Middlesex County patients and their children like to play basketball as well as watch. That’s why we want to share some information about basketball injuries. Basketball is exciting to watch due to its non-stop action—running, jumping, and quick changes of direction. All these same elements, however, can put a strain on several areas of your lower extremities.

Heel

Pounding up and down the court takes a toll on your heels. The repetitive impact can cause pain and swelling. It can also cause inflammation of the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue that connects your toes and heel bone. It results in heel pain and a condition called plantar fasciitis. For young players, ages 8-15, another condition may also develop. Known as Sever’s disease, it is an inflammation of the not fully formed growth plate at the back of the heel. Even if the heel pain is intermittent, it’s important to get it checked by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, so it can be treated before it gets worse.

Ankle

Landing wrong after a jump shot and rolling your ankle or a sudden change in direction that throws you off balance can cause an ankle sprain. The ligaments that surround your ankle get overstretched in a sprain and they can also tear or rupture. Signs of a sprain are pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the injured foot. PRICE: Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation are the first line of treatment until the podiatrist can evaluate the severity of the ankle injury.

Forefoot

A fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal, known as a Jones Fracture, is a common basketball injury. Running and jumping create high impact pressure on the forefoot, which can also lead to stress fractures and overuse injuries in the ball of your foot areas such as sesamoiditis and metatarsalgia.

Potential injuries shouldn’t deter you from playing basketball, but being aware of vulnerable areas can help you protect them with proper footwear and techniques. If you experience any pain from basketball or another sport, don’t delay seeking treatment. Contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 31, 2019
Category: sports injuries

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we are firm believers in the benefits of regular exercise for your feet, lower extremities and the rest of your body. Warm temperatures and longer days can make it easier to keep an outdoor fitness activity going during the summer, but the season also presents special challenges. Below are some tips to help you avoid foot and ankle injuries while exercising this summer.

Stretch it Out—most patients know they should stretch before and after exercise, but some are confused as to which type of stretches to do when. Static stretches of the quads, hamstrings, etc. should only be done after muscles are warmed up. Dynamic stretches such as ankle circles or swinging your legs back and forth should be done lightly and briefly before exercising.

Be Cool—avoid working out during the hottest periods of the day. Aim for early morning or early evening when it’s cooler. When you’re done, find a shady spot to wind down. Drink lots of water to ensure that you stay hydrated. It will keep your body cooler and also help reduce the risk of swelling of the feet and ankles.

Get the Right Stuff—be sure to wear the right shoes for the activity you are doing. Flip flops won’t cut it for any type of physical activity other than walking from your lounge chair to the changing area or restroom. Be smart about what you do too. Always start out gradually and work up slowly to a more intense routine of longer duration. If the heat or sun is making you feel unwell, stop.

Deal with Injuries Promptly—if your muscles are sore after working out, icing will usually help. If you have a chronic foot or ankle problems such as plantar fasciitis or weak ankles, talk to our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas about the best types of exercise and the proper footwear to accommodate your podiatric problem. If you injure your foot or ankle, make an appointment as soon as possible at our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499. In the meantime, use the RICE regimen—rest, ice, compression and elevation—to treat your injury until you can be seen by the doctor.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 27, 2018
Category: sports injuries
Tags: ankle sprains   injuries   fractures   chilblains  

There are tons of fun and exciting sports to try your hand at during the winter, but unfortunately, lots of those sports can also come with serious injuries! Every year millions of people grab their poles and hit the slopes, lace up their skates and hit the ice, or try out some other new winter sporting activity. As fun as these activities can be year after year, they also come with the risk of foot and ankle injuries like ankle sprains, strains, and fractures.

If you’re making plans to participate in any winter sports this year, follow these safety tips to prevent injuries:

  • Use the buddy system – even if you are an expert, it’s safer to have someone nearby to provide assistance or to get help immediately if needed. It’s also more fun to have a friend!
  • Get the appropriate safety gear – helmets, goggles, boots, and any other needed equipment are essential to keeping your body protected and avoiding injuries.
  • Learn the rules – if it’s your first time participating in this activity, read up on any rules and sign up for lessons to know how to avoid getting yourself hurt.
  • Do your warmups – in freezing temperatures, your muscles are more susceptible to injury. Stretching and warming them up helps in prevention.
  • Dress in layers – insulate your body against the cold to prevent conditions like chilblains or frostbite.
  • Take breaks – in the cold, your body exerts even more energy. Take breaks and allow yourself to recover and warm up.
  • Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids during and after sports to prevent cramping and other issues.

You can prevent a lot of winter injuries by staying healthy, limber, warm, hydrated, and nourished during any sports you take part in. That said, accidents do occur! If you hurt your foot or ankle out on the slopes or the ice, call a podiatrist immediately.

If you sustained a sports injury, we’re here for you here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. 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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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 13, 2018
Category: sports injuries

We’re right smack in the middle of baseball season. If you’ve been practicing your homerun swing this year, you know it can take a lot out of you! Though it might not seem as dangerous as a contact sport like tackle football, if you’ve ever twisted your ankle diving for a ball or suffered a stress fracture rounding the bases, you know how your body can take a beating. There are many common foot injuries associated with America’s pastime. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we’ve compiled some of the common ones, along with great ways to prevent them.

The most common injuries in baseball:

  • Sprains and fractures: quick sprints, slides, and pivots are a huge part of baseball. After you get a solid slug, you want to round the bases as quickly as possible to avoid getting tagged out. These herky-jerky movements can often lead to overstretching a tendon or ligament or fracturing a bone.
  • Achilles tendinitis: brief sprints followed by pauses repeatedly can shock your Achilles tendon and cause it to become inflamed.
  • Plantar fasciitis: catchers are in a squatting position for long stretches of a baseball game, often causing their arches to hurt. Heel spurs can also occur from prolonged plantar fasciitis.
  • Ingrown toenails: tight cleats that squeeze your toes together can cause ingrown toenails.

Prevention is key for all sports injuries. To keep yourself in the game, follow these tips:

  • Practice good warmup and cooldown techniques before and after playing
  • Get the right gear and ensure your baseball cleats are a proper fit
  • Learn good running and sliding techniques and always keep them in practice
  • Rest when you need to and let your body recover between playing
  • Stay hydrated
  • Keep up with podiatry appointments, especially if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort

A sprain or slight injury might not seem like a big deal when you’re in the heat of the game, but without proper treatment, it can worsen and potentially lead to a chronic foot issue. If your safety practices have waned throughout the baseball season, now might be a great time to reassess them to ensure your feet and ankles stay safe and healthy.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help assess your foot and ankle health and ensure your season continues well. If you have sustained an injury this year, Dr. Mucinskas can assess and administer any needed pain relief. 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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