(860) 632-5499
Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416
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At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we always stress the importance of a total body approach to foot health to our Middlesex County patients. September 29th is World Heart Day and an excellent time to make the connection that a healthy heart benefits your feet and the rest of your body! Keeping arteries clear of plaque and reducing other risk factors for heart disease can happen one step at a time.
Did you know over half of all senior accidental falls happen at home? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we recognize Falls Prevention Week every year during September. A fall can have a devasting effect on the life of an older person. Not only are falls the number one cause of non-fatal injuries, but they can also leave a lasting sense of fear that can hinder living a more full and active life. We offer the following tips for helping to make homes safer for our senior Middlesex County patients and the people who love them. Ask a family member or friend to do a walk-through of your home with you and make a note of areas where safety upgrades are needed.
Lowering fall risk begins before you even get inside. Take a look at the steps or walkway that lead up to your house. Are there cracks or broken pieces of pavement that might be a tripping hazard? Is the lighting adequate? Make sure the path into your home is well lit and clear of debris.
One of the major causes of falls at home is tripping over things. Trace the path you walk daily in your house, from when you get up until you go to bed. Look for dangers to remove include:
Install a second handrail on all staircases for better balance and stability. You can then hold on to both sides when going up or down. Add more lighting in dim stairwells. If the treads have carpeting, make sure there are no holes or snags to catch your foot on.
The bathroom can be a landmine for slip and fall accidents. Install grab bars around the toilet. Add no-slip grip strips to the floor of the shower. If you are unsteady on your feet, consider adding a specialized chair to your shower area. Tub-shower combinations may not be the best choice if lifting your leg is difficult.
Taking care of foot and ankle pain promptly is a critical step in decreasing your chances of falling. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can also help assess your risk of accidental falls and prescribe helpful devices like braces, canes, etc., to increase your stability. Make your appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to learn more.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know as our Middlesex County patients switch from summer sandals to fall footwear, the transition may not go as smoothly as we like. Summer shoes tend to be more open and not as constricting as closed styles which become the norm in the fall.
Problem: Athlete’s foot. shoes invite fungal and bacterial infections. With all the barefoot traffic summer sees around swimming pools and in seaside changing areas and restrooms, infections are prevalent. If you’ve started back to the gym, there’s a high likelihood infection is present in communal showers and locker rooms. These dark, moist spaces are the perfect breeding ground for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.
Solution: Foot infections spread by direct contact. Keeping your feet covered in public places will help prevent you from getting one. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes multiple days in a row. Allow a day or two in between uses for shoes to air out. Choose shoes made of natural, breathable materials.
Problem: Heel Pain. If one of the reasons you hate to see summer end is because you love living in flip-flops, there’s a good chance your heels will be hurting once you go back to regular shoes. That’s because traditional flip-flops do not provide any arch support. It, in turn, aggravates the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue along the bottom of your foot—and causes your heels to hurt.
Solution: Try to gradually transition to traditional shoes, wearing them a few hours a day and increasing usage slowly. You may also need to do some stretching exercises to help decrease inflammation in the plantar fascia.
Problem: Bunion Pain. Ah, it was so nice to wear open-toed shoes that didn’t press on your bunion and make it hurt! Going back to closed-toe styles may mean an increase in the pain and discomfort you experience from your bunions.
Solution: Some additional padding may help to protect a sensitive bunion. You may also have to consider shoes that are a little larger or at least designed with a roomier toe box. It may also be time to have the podiatrist check to see if your bunion progresses to a point where a different treatment plan is necessary.
With all of the above foot problems and any new uncomfortable symptoms you develop, if they persist, it’s best not to put off making an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your feet and track down the source of your discomfort as well as the best solution to bring you relief.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we often see Middlesex County patients suffering from poor circulation but are unaware of it. Your circulatory system is responsible for bringing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to every cell in your body. Since your feet are the part of you farthest from the heart, they may be the first to send up warning signs indicating a slow circulation down. Below are some symptoms that may indicate poor circulation:
Feet frequently feel cold, regardless of temperature where you are
Feelings of numbness
Skin discoloration turning blue, red, white, or purple
Hair loss on legs, feet, and toes
Dry skin, cracking
Wounds seem to be slow to heal
Weak toenails
For some patients, circulation may be impeded when they spend time outside in the cold or stand or sit in one position for a long period. Poor circulation can also be the sign of a more serious medical condition, including:
Diabetes—when you don’t manage diabetes effectively and blood glucose levels remain high for an extended period; blood vessels can be damaged.
Raynaud’s Disease— condition causes blood vessels to narrow when exposed to cold temperatures. Raynaud's can also trigger stress and another illness or medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.
Arteriosclerosis—high blood pressure can result in a hardening of the arteries.
Peripheral Arterial Disease— is characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries, which restricts blood flow.
Suppose you recognize any of the signs of poor circulation. In that case, it's important that you make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and ankles. The foot doctor will determine if poor circulation is present and track down the source. There are some steps you can take at home to improve circulation to your feet. These include:
Stay active
Don’t sit with legs crossed
Stop smoking
Limit caffeine and alcohol
Wear compression socks
Keep feet warm
If you have questions about poor circulation and your feet, contact us, 860-632-5499 for your appointment.
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416