The condition of flat feet is characterized by a disappearance of your arch when you put weight on your feet, and the return of the arch when you remove that weight. Flat feet often start in childhood and typically affect both feet. If left untreated, there are many severe complications that could arise as the child grows into adulthood.

Common Flat Feet Complications:

• Achilles tendonitis – the Achilles tendon, which runs from your calf muscle along the back of your heel, can stiffen due to flat feet. This can turn into a nasty injury.
• Soft tissue injuries – your arch’s ligaments and soft tissues become stretched and inflamed and occasionally will tear due to flat feet. This can be extremely painful.
• Deformities of the feet – bunions and hammertoes are likely to develop when the foot’s arches are not supported sufficiently.
• Pain and discomfort – the tendons along your arches, ankles, and heels can become strained and very painful.
• Pain in other areas – overpronation that comes with flat feet can lead to complications in your knees, hips, and your back.
• Shin splints – untreated flat feet will lead to a higher occurrence of this painful condition that occurs in the shin bone area.

Flat Feet Treatment

Due to the wide range of severity and symptoms associated with flat feet, the condition must be thoroughly checked out by a podiatrist. For pain, NSAIDs can be taken under a doctor’s direction. Our office can also produce custom orthotics that will support your arches and realign your foot. Orthotics not only help to relieve pain, but also can correct issues with your knees, hips, and back. In severe cases of flat foot, surgery might be the best method to repair the foot. After surgery, the doctor might require physical therapy and immobilization with a boot.

If you’ve noticed flat feet in your child or if you’re having complications yourself, call our office today. 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.

We talk about the importance of wearing the right kind of shoes often, but did you know that laces are an equally important part of keeping your feet safe? There are so many ways to mix and match shoelace colors, styles, shapes, and sizes to add some flair to your feet. But did you know that proper lacing can help prevent foot and ankle injury?

Shoelace tips

• Loosen your laces before slipping your foot in. You can stress your foot trying to contort it into a too-tight shoe. It can also wear down your shoe faster.
• Lace starting from the holes closest to your toes up. This will ensure stability and a solid fit.
• Pull laces tightly after lacing through the eyelets. Leave no excess lace so that the shoe fits nice and snug.
• More eyelets generally mean a better fit for the shoe.

Lacing tips for narrow feet

If you have narrow feet, you should lace your shoes using the holes farthest away from the tongue of the shoe. This will provide solid fit and stability.

Lacing tips for wide feet

If your feet are on the wide side, utilize the inner eyelets to lace up your shoes. It tightens the shoe closer to the center and prevents any rubbing and chafing on the outside of your feet.

Why should I bother lacing right?

Lacing right can help alleviate or prevent foot pain and injury. It’s extra important to utilize all of the eyelets provided when you lace your shoes up. Make sure you lace anything closest to the heel the tightest. If you are experiencing Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis, this will help to mitigate any pain you are experiencing in your heel and provide stability and support throughout your day.

Have your shoes been laced up incorrectly causing you a foot or ankle injury? Call our office here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists! Our Podiatrist, 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.

Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we hear a lot of misinformation about the field of podiatry. We put together a few myths that we commonly hear from patients that we wanted to clear up.

Set the record straight:

Myth: My podiatrist would not want to hear about the pain in my knees, calves, or ankles.

Fact: Your podiatrist needs to hear about the pain you’re having anywhere in your lower extremities. This will help them assess exactly what might be going on. Foot pain is often caused by a dysfunction anywhere from the knees to other parts of your lower leg. If you have pain in your calves, for instance, this can be a sign of an issue with your Achilles tendon such as Achilles tendonitis.

Myth: For “minor” issues like warts or ingrown toenails, I should just take care of them at home. My podiatrist only treats “major” issues.

Fact: Home remedies can make problems worse! We’ve seen many issues like ingrown toenails exacerbated by someone trying a “folk remedy” at home. This can often lead to a nasty infection which can be a huge problem, especially if the patient has diabetes. It’s always better to call our office if you’re suffering from any ailments in your feet.

Myth: It’s not important for the podiatrist to see my shoes.

Fact: Your podiatrist can deduce a lot about your feet from your shoes! Your shoes can shed light onto your gait, which can point to certain biomechanical issues such as overpronation. Your shoes also play a huge role in how healthy your feet are. If you wear unsupportive shoes like flip-flops all day, or spend a lot of time with your toes shoved together in high-heels, you can end up with painful issues like bunions. Your podiatrist can help to recommend the best style of footwear that will fit your feet and your lifestyle.

Do you have questions about your feet? You can bet that Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists has the answers! He 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.

As we are finally starting to see some more sunshine here in Cromwell, CT, more people are taking advantage of the weather and getting some outdoor exercise. If you’re considering picking up running as your heart-healthy activity, Dr. Adam Mucinskas has some tips to ensure that your feet and your whole body stay in good form.

Follow these tips for excellent foot health as you begin running:

1. Set goals early.  Setting a specific challenging but attainable goal can help keep you motivated. An upcoming 5k or family fun run might be a good goal to consider. If you have a smartphone, there are numerous apps that can help you track your progress and meet your goals.
2. Stay humble.  Knowing your limits is key. If you overdo it and sustain an injury, it will set your exercise plans way back. Plan a way to ease into a solid running regimen and follow it closely. There are great resources online to get you started on a path to running. Running magazines also often have sections for beginners that can get you started.
3. Get the right gear.  Find a reputable running store in your area and ask for their professional advice. They can assess your gait and help you find the right shoe for how you run. Some runners roll their foot inward or outward as they run, which can require a specific kind of shoe to accommodate. Improper footwear can cause injuries.
4. Don’t run through pain.  If any part of your foot or ankle hurts, don’t ignore it. Stop running and rest your body. If you sustained a foot injury during running, come see our expert doctor. Stress fractures, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis are all common running injuries that need to be assessed by a podiatrist.

If you’ want to get your feet examined before adding running to your exercise routine, the professionals at Feet First Foot Care Specialists can get you started. To schedule an appointment at our convenient Cromwell, Connecticut office, request one online or call us today at 860-632-5499.

How’s your bracket doing this March Madness? Have your winning teams inspired you to hit the court and shoot some hoops? Basketball is a great way to keep your body active and healthy, but without taking the proper precautionary steps, it can also be a dangerous sport! Repeated running and jumping on a court can put a lot of stress on your feet and ankles, causing great injury and putting you on the sideline for weeks.

Here are some common sports injuries associated with basketball and how to avoid them:

• Ankle Sprains

Ankle Sprains are quite common in basketball. A sprain happens when your foot rolls or bends unnaturally and stretches or even tears one or more ligament. You’ll know your ankle is sprained if it’s very painful to walk on and if there’s swelling or bruising.

Treatment: Ankle sprains need a lot of rest, plus ice to reduce the swelling. Bandages may also be used to hold the ankle in place while it heals. A serious injury might require surgery.

Prevention: Stretching is a must before the big game. Making sure your body is limber and ready to go is necessary. Well-fitting shoes made for basketball are also good for prevention.

• Plantar Fasciitis

The repeated stress from landing on your feet can cause stress on your heels, often leading to injuries like plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis, or heel spurs, occurs when the plantar fascia, the ligament connecting your heel to the front of the foot, becomes inflamed. This inflammation is accompanied by pain when you walk.

Treatment: Plantar fasciitis is often treated conservatively with rest, ice, stretching, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication (please talk to your physician before taking medication). In recurring, persistent cases, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT) is used for treatment.

Prevention: Calf stretches before hitting the court can be helpful for preventing plantar fasciitis. Orthotic inserts can also cushion the blow of hard jumps.

• Achilles tendonitis

Your Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body and can withstand forces of over 1,000 pounds. It is also one of the most vulnerable to rupturing. Achilles tendonitis occurs in professional and casual athletes from overuse and inflammation of the tendon. Achilles tendonitis comes with pain after exercise, mild swelling, tenderness about an inch above the Achilles, or sluggishness in your leg.

Treatment: Constrictive bandages are used to limit motion of the tendon. Rest and low impact exercises, such as swimming, are encouraged. Orthotics can also help ease the pain quite a bit.

Prevention: You might be noticing a trend here, but stretching is a necessity to prevent Achilles tendonitis. Also, knowing your limits and knowing when to take a rest are both important.