(860) 632-5499

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

We have moved!

Stop by and see our new office!

My Blog

Archive:

Tags

My Blog

Posts for: October, 2020

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.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 19, 2020
Category: exercise
Tags: walking   foot health   ankle health  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know walking has more benefits than ever for our Middlesex County patients.

The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends walking for several reasons, including:

  • Controls weight
  • Lowers blood sugar
  • Lowers cholesterol levels
  • Releases endorphins which relieve depression, stress, and anxiety
  • Lowers the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes
  • Improves circulation

During the pandemic, walking has the added benefit of being done while maintaining a safe social distance. Convinced you should try it?

Check out these tips to ensure maximum benefits from walking, while protecting the health of your feet and ankles:

  • Choose the Right Shoes—the only piece of equipment you need for walking is a pair of good walking shoes. Buy your shoes at a store specializing in sports and fitness footwear, and get your feet professionally measured. If our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, has prescribed a custom orthotic, make sure you bring it with you to try on with the walking shoes you are considering purchasing. Improper footwear can cause many podiatric issues, including shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and ankle injuries.

  • Follow a Sound Program—if you’re new to walking for fitness or have been inactive for an extended period, be sure to choose a regimen that has you starting slowly and gradually building in intensity and duration. You should also stretch before and after walking to reduce the risk of injury and soreness.

  • Listen to Your Feet—while a little bit of soreness is normal for muscles getting a workout, pain, whether acute or intermittent, is not. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Ignoring discomfort when walking can lead to a stress fracture, Achilles tendonitis, or other debilitating injuries. If you experience pain while walking or after you stop, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment as soon as possible to get it evaluated.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 12, 2020
Category: Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know it’s the time of year when ghosts and goblins appear, and scary images abound for Halloween. However, when it comes to caring for your feet, fear shouldn’t be a factor. With podiatric issues, the trick is not waiting to seek evaluation and treatment. If you see something unusual happening to your feet or you experience any pain or discomfort, it’s essential you contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment.

Below are some conditions with names that might sound scary but can easily be treated by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas:

Xerosis—is not uncommon as we get into the colder weather months we see patients with this condition, which is very dry skin. The heat in our homes, cars, and offices dries the skin. Frequent hot showers and the type of soap you use can also play a role. Most of the time, the diligent application of a rich moisturizer to the feet several times a day will take care of xerosis. Less frequently, however, intensely dry skin can be a sign of another problem such as diabetes. For this reason, it’s best to let the foot doctor take a look.

Onychomycosis—yikes! You might be concerned if the foot doctor delivered this diagnosis. That is until you learn this is the medical term for toenail fungus. Although this condition may be stubborn and take some time to clear up, it is rarely a serious problem if treated promptly. The podiatrist will determine the best way to deal with your fungal infection and may use topical or oral medications or a procedure known as debridement, which removes the infected area of the nail.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome—many of our Middlesex County patients have started running or walking to stay in shape safely during the pandemic. And this means an increase in the number of cases of this condition—more commonly known as shin splints—that we expect to see in our office. Pain on the sides of your shin bones, which may be accompanied by swelling and tenderness, can be caused by arch problems, a muscle imbalance, or even improper footwear.

No foot condition is too scary for us! If you have a foot or ankle problem, contact us today.


0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 07, 2020
Category: Toe conditions

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know most of our Middlesex County patients can easily identify a hammertoe by the telltale hammer-like appearance of a toe.  Still, they may not be as familiar with the cause or progression of this deformity.

Here are some do’s and don’ts regarding the common condition of hammertoes:

  • Don’t: ignore a toe that seems to be moving into a hammer position. It’s not your imagination, and it’s not going to go away on its own. Hammertoe is a progressive condition that needs treatment to be slowed or corrected. If you believe your toe is changing its shape or position, you should contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499, so our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can evaluate your condition.
  • Do: be prepared to give the podiatrist a family medical history at your appointment. The foot doctor will want to track down the cause of your hammertoes, which can be a hereditary condition. Other possible causes include a muscle/tendon imbalance, which can lead to mechanical or neurological changes that result in a hammertoe.
  • Don’t: put off seeking treatment for a hammertoe. It may not be painful at first, but as time goes by, it will worsen. In the early stages, you have multiple non-invasive options to help, including:
    • Physical therapy
    • Custom orthotics
    • Splinting or strapping the affected toes
    • Medications to help with pain and inflammation
  • Do: rethink your shoe choices. Shoes that don’t have enough room in the toe box may be contributing to a hammertoe, particularly if you have one toe that is longer than the others. High heels that force your foot forward and flip flops that need your toes to grip the front of the shoe to keep them on are all detrimental to patients with a hammertoe.
  • Do: treat secondary conditions caused by hammertoes. Corns and calluses may form due to friction from footwear. These can be very painful and develop into open sores. Use padding to protect these areas while your podiatrist works on treating the underlying cause of a hammertoe.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary about any of your toes, don’t hesitate to contact us.


0 Comment(s) Permalink


Contact Us

 








 

 

Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416