(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 tag: Achilles Tendonitis

By Feet First Foot Care
March 01, 2022
Category: foot pain

Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis, also known as “overuse” disorders, are usually caused by an increase of repetitive activity that involves the Achilles tendon. The structure of the tendon fibers has been altered, resulting in ongoing pain. Repetitive motion puts excess strain on the tendon, and due to this constant stress, the body is unable to repair the injured tissue as it usually would. 

 

Although this can happen to anyone at any age, athletes are at high risk for developing Achilles tendon disorders. Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis are common in individuals whose work puts stress on their ankles and feet. In addition, people that also suffer from flat feet tend to develop Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis. It is due to the greater demands placed on the tendon when walking.

 

What is the Achilles Tendon?

 

The Achilles tendon is the band of tissue that runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Sometimes also referred to as the heel cord, the Achilles tendon facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off the ground. 

 

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

 

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This inflammation is typically short-lived. Over time, if not resolved, the condition can progress and degenerate the tendon (when the tendon loses its structure) is more likely to develop microscopic tears. Chronic degeneration with or without pain may result in rupture of the tendon in more rare cases.

 

Signs and Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Disorder:

 

  • Pain, aching, stiffness, soreness, or tenderness within the tendon
  • Tenderness or intense pain when pressing the sides of the tendon
  • A popping or snapping sensation
  • Swelling on the back of the leg between the heel and the calf
  • Difficulty and pain when walking uphill or up stairs

The symptoms listed above require medical attention to prevent further damage.

 

Until the patient can see a doctor, we recommend the R-I-C-E method, which involves:  

 

Rest: Stay off the injured foot and ankle since walking can cause pain or further damage.

Ice:  Apply a bag of ice covered with a thin towel to reduce swelling and pain. 

Compression: Wrap the foot and ankle in an elastic bandage to prevent further swelling.

Elevation: Keep the leg elevated to reduce swelling. 

 

 At Feet First Foot Care LLC, our leading podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas has experience treating this condition. To schedule an appointment, call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information. 

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

At Feet First Foot Care, we’re hearing from many of our Middlesex County patients that they are taking up the sport of running. The pandemic has made some people re-think their fitness plans, and running while maintaining safe social distance and avoiding venues where there are many other people. We applaud our patients for making regular exercise a priority but also want to help protect them from some podiatric problems that runners often face.

Here are some common injuries and disorders associated with running and how to prevent them:

  1. Achilles Tendonitis—this inflammation of the long tendon that runs along the back of your lower leg from calf to heel is especially common in new runners or those who are becoming active again after a long period of inactivity. Being overly enthusiastic and jumping into long, intense runs without the proper conditioning can result in severe pain to the Achilles tendon. Running hills and sprints can also increase the risk of this condition. Start slowly and increase the pace and duration gradually. Be sure to include stretches for the calves in your warm-ups and cooldowns.

  2. Ankle Sprains—landing the wrong way on your foot and twisting an ankle can happen when you run. If you have chronic weak ankles, be sure the running shoes you purchase will provide firm ankle support. Choose a place to run such as a school track, that is unlikely to have holes, divots, or debris that can cause an ankle-twisting to occur.

  3. Athlete’s Foot—you may not associate fungal infection with running.  However, your feet will be spending regular time in a moist, dark, warm place (your sneakers!), and those are the perfect breeding conditions for bacteria and fungi. Don’t wear the same pair of socks for more than one day and air out your shoes between runs. Practice good basic hygiene and wash your feet daily. Use an antifungal or foot powder if foot odor is a problem.

  4. Heel Pain—the repetitive pressure your heels experience when running can result in pain. If you have flat feet or a tendency to overpronate, you may also have an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot, which can also lead to heel pain. Additional arch support or a custom orthotic may help.

The bottom line is if you experience any acute or ongoing pain or discomfort after you start a running program, it’s essential that you contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and determine the source of the discomfort before a worse injury occurs.

0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 11, 2019

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we often hear from our patients that they didn’t know if their foot condition was really anything serious, and so they weren’t sure if they should “bother us” for an appointment. Unfortunately, by the time we hear this, the problem has usually progressed to a severe stage which now requires longer and possibly more invasive treatment. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, would much rather you come into our Cromwell office and find out there’s nothing wrong instead of waiting until you are in excruciating pain or having other difficulty walking.

Questions to Help You Decide

If you’re still undecided about whether or not to call us, below are some questions to ask yourself:

  1. Does it hurt? Pain is your body’s way of sending you a message that something is wrong. Often patients make the mistake of thinking that unless it’s severe and constant pain, it can’t be anything serious. Stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis and heel pain are three of many common conditions that may start out with just intermittent pain or discomfort when exercising or doing particular activities. If these conditions are diagnosed early, the foot doctor can prescribe treatment and/or preventive measures to keep the problem from becoming seriously disabling.
  2. Did it look like that before? We recommend that patients get in the habit of regularly inspecting their feet to look for changes that can signal a problem. Rashes, bumps, bruises, growths and changes in the skin or toenails can all be the beginning of a podiatric disorder. If you have diabetes, it’s particularly important that you contact us as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary, since even minor foot problems like athlete’s foot and blisters can rapidly turn into serious health problems.
  3. Do you feel something different? Does your foot feel numb? Or, maybe you are noticing a tingling or burning sensation in your feet. These can be a sign of neuropathy or another nerve issue.
  4. Is it infected? A wound that begins to feel warm, has red streaks around it or is showing any discharge or pus may be infected. If you notice any of these symptoms, particularly if you also have a fever, contact us immediately by calling: (860) 632-5499.
0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
April 24, 2019
Category: heel pain

Is heel pain making it difficult for you to stand, walk and perform basic daily activities? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we urge patients to not put off getting heel pain evaluated. There are many possible causes of heel pain and nearly all of them will only get worse – not better – without treatment. Below are some of the more common sources of heel discomfort:

Faulty Foot Mechanics

Frequently, a defect in the biomechanics of the feet is the root source of heel pain. An abnormal gait may result in too much pressure and stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues surrounding it. Muscle and ligament imbalances can cause conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet and heel spurs which can cause severe pain in the heel.

Overuse

Another common cause of heel pain is overuse. Starting a new fitness program or sport too intensely or neglecting to schedule rest days into your workout regimen can result in heel trouble. In children and teens, a condition known as Sever’s Disease results in inflammation of the growth plate area and is caused by too much repetitive stress due to sports. Excessive and repetitive force on the heel can also create a stress fracture in the heel bone or cause another acute injury to the heel.

Disease

There are also a number of diseases and conditions that can contribute to heel pain, including:

To determine the source of heel pain and, subsequently, the correct treatment, you need to schedule an appointment at our Cromwell office so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will be able to examine your foot. Imaging studies such as x-rays or MRI’s may be ordered to give a more detailed picture of your heel. Once a cause is found for your pain, the foot doctor will prescribe the best treatment for you. Contact us today for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

0 Comment(s) Permalink
By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
April 01, 2019
Category: heel pain

If you’ve been experiencing heel pain lately, you’re not alone. Most people who experience heel pain might not even notice it or may write it off as a normal part of life after a long day! This leads a lot of heel pain sufferers to go undiagnosed and untreated for their heel problems.

What sort of diagnoses can arise from talking to Dr. Adam Mucinskas about your heel pain?

Achilles tendonitis - this is a condition affecting the band of tissue stretching from our calf muscles to our heel bones. Arising from several causes, such as overuse, injury, or as a secondary symptom of other conditions like flat feet, Achilles tendonitis makes it painful to run, jump, climb stairs, or stand on your toes.

Plantar fasciitis - perhaps one of the most common issues seen by podiatrists today is a condition affecting the band of tissue that stretches from your heel bone to all of your toes. It’s primarily responsible for the healthy arched shape of our feet and, when damaged, can cause debilitating pain for the sufferer.

Flat feet - speaking of conditions that go unnoticed in most people, flat feet (or fallen arches) happen when the natural arch of our feet loses its pliability and flattens out. This causes several issues due to our feet losing the support of this arched tendon and can lead to developing plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.

There are several other issues that can arise as a result of frequent or chronic heel pain. The first step is getting scheduled to see a podiatrist at Feet First Foot Care. From there, your experiences and symptoms will be thoroughly assessed and you’ll be provided the highest quality care in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Don’t wait another day - call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule your appointment with 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