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

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Posts for tag: Plantar Fasciitis

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
November 10, 2020
Category: heel pain

Have you noticed pain in your heels that has been getting progressively worse over the last few months? Do you experience severe or stabbing pain when you first get out of bed? Do you see any swelling on the bottom of your heel? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from a complaint many Middlesex County patients bring to us at Feet First Foot Care Specialists: plantar fasciitis.

Why the Pain?

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. Initially, it may become irritated and then inflamed, causing both heel and arch pain. Most frequently, this condition’s cause is a defect in the structure of the foot, such as overly high arches or flat feet. But other factors can increase your risk for plantar fasciitis:

  • A job that requires standing for long hours
  • Wearing shoes with inadequate arch support
  • Working on hard, flat surfaces
  • Being overweight

What Can be Done?

If you are suffering from heel pain, don’t delay. Make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499. If our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, diagnoses plantar fasciitis, several treatment options are available to help relieve pain and correct the problem. These include:

  • Icing—this can help relieve pain and inflammation. Use an ice pack for up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap in a thin towel; do not apply ice directly to your skin.
  • Medications—nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
  • Avoiding going barefoot—this puts a strain on the plantar fascia.
  • Footwear modifications—choosing styles that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel.
  • Custom orthotics
  • Stretching exercises—calf muscle stretches can help ease pain in some cases.
  • Night splint—keeps the plantar fascia stretched while you sleep, decreasing morning pain.
  • Removable walking cast
  • Physical therapy

If conservative measures are not successful, the foot doctor may recommend surgery. Non-invasive measures are always the first line of treatment, however. If you believe you may have plantar fasciitis, contact us at your earliest convenience for an evaluation.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 22, 2020
Category: orthotics
Tags: Plantar Fasciitis   bunions   arthritis  

At Feet First Foot & Ankle Care Specialists, we find many of our Middlesex County patients are surprised when we prescribe a custom orthotic to relieve foot or ankle pain. Orthotics serve three primary functions: changing foot function, protection, or a combination of both. Custom orthotics made from a mold of your unique foot structure treat a wide range of symptoms.

Here are four podiatric disorders that may be helped by custom orthotics:

  1. Diabetes—One of the most significant concerns for patients with diabetes is developing an ulcer or wound on the foot. Poor circulation, which is commonly associated with this disease, can make it difficult to heal a wound on the foot. Serious infections and even amputations can be the result of uncontrolled ulcers. Soft orthotics are made to pad a specific area at risk for developing a wound or sore and showing potential danger signs.

  2. Arthritis—Joint pain and stiffness are the two most frequent symptoms of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. An orthotic can help reposition your feet to take the load off of affected joints and make walking and standing more comfortable.

  3. Plantar Fasciitis/Flat Feet—When the arches of your feet collapse or flatten, pain in the arch and the heel often occur. The plantar fascia is a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. Lack of arch support puts a strain on the plantar fascia and causes heel pain. Orthotics can be used to add support to the arch of the foot.

  4. Bunions—Although bunions are a progressive deformity, a custom orthotic can help realign the big toe and slow its movement out of proper position. Orthotics can make it more comfortable to wear shoes.

The first step to determining if a custom orthotic will help your foot pain is to 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 and diagnose the cause of your podiatric discomfort. The foot doctor will then let you know if a custom orthotic or another treatment method will be best to alleviate your pain.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 13, 2019
Category: heel pain

One of the most common causes of heel pain that we treat at Feet First Foot Care Specialists is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, stretching from your heel to your toes. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, it creates pain in the heel and arch of the foot. Faulty foot structure is most often at the root of plantar fasciitis. Patients who have flat feet or high arches are prone to this disorder. Other factors that increase the risk for plantar fasciitis are being overweight, wearing shoes with poor arch support and having a job that keeps you on your feet for long hours. Serious athletes may also develop plantar fasciitis from repetitive stress on the feet.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In addition to pain, patients with plantar fasciitis may see swelling on the bottom of the heel. The pain may gradually increase over time and be worse after periods of rest or first thing in the morning. Heel pain can have other causes, however. These include:

Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will want to do a complete examination of your feet and heels and go over your medical history to rule out other possible problems. A digital x-ray (which can be done in our Cromwell office) or other imaging tests may be ordered as well.

If you do have plantar fasciitis, there are a number of treatment methods available. The podiatrist will develop the best treatment plan for you which may include the following:

If you are suffering from heel pain and discomfort, don’t wait. Contact us today for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 21, 2019
Category: Foot conditions

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, the health of your feet is our number one priority. One way we encourage our patients to keep their feet healthy is by contacting our Cromwell office as soon as they experience pain or other unusual foot symptoms. This way, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your feet and determine if there is a foot disorder present. However, there are many ways you can be good to your feet when they’re not hurting so that they can continue to enable you to live the active life you love.

  • Get your feet professionally measured. Did you know that some studies show that 90% of people are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet? Cramped toe boxes can increase the risk and severity of bunions and hammertoes.
  • Don’t wear flat shoes. For proper alignment and biomechanical functioning, your arches need support. When feet are flat, it causes heel pain and can lead to plantar fasciitis.
  • Wash your feet every day. This simple act can help prevent many foot infections.
  • Keep an extra pair of socks in your bag. Fungi love moist, warm, dark places. When your feet sit in damp socks, you are creating the perfect environment for fungal infections to thrive.
  • Don’t go barefoot. Keeping your feet covered will lower your risk for athlete’s foot, fungal toenails and warts—all of which are spread by direct contact.
  • Don’t file your toenails with rounded edges. This encourages the nail to grow downward and can lead to painful ingrown toenails.
  • Exercise regularly. This has several benefits for your feet. First, it keeps them flexible and helps maintain range of motion. Regular exercise also reduces the risk and the severity of arthritic conditions. In addition, it helps prevent heart disease and high blood pressure which can cause harm to your feet.
  • Skip the second helpings. A lower weight means less strain on your feet and ankles.

If you have health concerns about your feet or questions about being proactive about their health, contact us at (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 18, 2019
Category: pregnancy

Although pregnancy is a happy time, at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we know that your feet may not be rejoicing! They will have to carry a lot more weight than normal as your pregnancy progresses and this can lead to foot and ankle problems you don’t normally experience. Fortunately, most foot discomfort can be avoided or at least significantly reduced by following some simple suggestions.

Checkup on Podiatric Conditions

Start by making an appointment at our Cromwell office so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your feet and ankles and check on any chronic podiatric issues you may have such as bunions, flat feet or plantar fasciitis—all of which can be exacerbated by pregnancy. The foot doctor will monitor your condition during pregnancy and can suggest helpful ways to relieve discomfort and prevent existing conditions from worsening.

Buy Some New Shoes

Your footwear choices during pregnancy may need to be adjusted. As your abdomen grows, your center of gravity will change. Low, wide heels will provide the best stability. Don’t go with flats, however, as the excess weight will also put pressure on the arches of your feet, requiring more support to avoid arch and heel pain. In the last trimester of your pregnancy you may begin to notice that your shoes feel tight. This can be the result of hormones which your body releases to relax ligaments in preparation for birth. These hormones can cause your feet to spread, necessitating bigger or wider shoes. For some women, an increase of about half a size in shoes may be permanent.

Put Your Feet Up

You may find especially in the later phases of your pregnancy that your feet hurt more. Elevating feet periodically throughout the day and at the end of the day can help them feel better. Putting your feet up can also help reduce swelling of the feet and ankles—another common symptom of pregnancy.

If you are experiencing discomfort or unusual foot or ankle problems while pregnant, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416