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.

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:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Neuroma
• Haglund’s deformity
• Achilles tendonitis

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.

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!

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.