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

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Posts for tag: ankle pain

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
July 27, 2021
Category: arthritis

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to inform our Middlesex County families about this condition, manifesting in the joints of the feet and other parts of the body in young patients. Below are some facts about Juvenile Arthritis.

FACT: Juvenile Arthritis (JA) affects nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 16.

FACT: Arthritis—for both children and adults—is not just one disease. It is an umbrella term that covers over a hundred conditions that affect the joints.

FACT: In children, most kinds of JA are autoinflammatory or autoimmune diseases. It means the immune system gets mixed up and releases inflammatory chemicals that attack healthy cells and tissue rather than foreign elements like germs and viruses in the body.

FACT: While most types of JA do cause joint inflammation, some varieties do not show signs of pain or swelling in the joints but rather exhibit symptoms in the skin or internal organs.

FACT: Common symptoms of JA accompanying joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort, may include chronic eye inflammation; skin rashes; lung, heart, or digestive disorders; fatigue; loss of appetite; high, spiking fever.

FACT: The causes of JA are not precisely known. Researchers have found that genes may be a factor or it’s possible that the disease develops as the body’s response to a bacteria, virus, or other external factors. Exactly why it occurs is not known.

FACT: JA is a chronic condition. It can last for a few months, years, or an entire lifetime.

FACT: Treatment for JA has multiple goals: relieving pain and other symptoms, slowing or stopping the progression of the disease, preventing joint and organ damage, preserving mobility through adulthood.

FACT: There are many treatment options including medication, massage, mind-body therapies, and acupuncture. Healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and nutritious eating habits can also aid in the management of JA.

FACT: If your child exhibits any signs of joint pain in their feet or ankles, you should make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to get their symptoms evaluated promptly by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. The foot doctor will determine if your child’s discomfort is due to a podiatric problem or potentially arthritic.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
April 05, 2021

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, our Middlesex County patients sometimes come to us because of ongoing stiffness and pain in an ankle. It may also include swelling and even difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot. The first thing our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will likely want to know is if you recently twisted your ankle or suffered another type of ankle injury. If the answer is “no,” he will examine your ankle and conduct any necessary tests to find the source of your discomfort.

3 possible causes of chronic ankle problems:

  1. Osteochondritis—with this condition, lesions form on the ankle bone, causing pain and stiffness. Osteochondritis can affect patients of any age and often traced back to an old ankle injury. Usually, immobilizing the ankle and foot will allow for healing to occur. You may require surgery for more severe cases to remove loose fragments of bone and cartilage and clean up any defects.
  2. Arthritis—if you’re over 50, there’s an increased risk the stiffness and soreness you are experiencing may be arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the result of wear and tear on your joints that occurs as you age. An injury to the ankle in the past may hasten the development of arthritis in the joint. The podiatrist has many possible avenues to help slow the progression of arthritis and improve your symptoms. Physical therapy, custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medications can all help. In addition, eating a nutritious diet low in sugars and processed foods and regularly exercising will also make joints healthier.
  3. Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain—the telltale symptom of this disorder is pain outside the ankle. Although the most common reason for chronic lateral ankle pain is a previous ankle sprain, it can be caused by a fracture in one of the bones in the ankle joint, nerve injury, scar tissue, or an inflamed or torn tendon. The treatment will depend in part on the source of the pain. Once that is determined, the foot doctor may prescribe medication, physical therapy, or bracing the ankle. If there’s a fracture, immobilization may be necessary to allow the break to heal.

If you have persistent ankle pain or other symptoms, contact our Cromwell office call 860-632-5499 for an appointment today.

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August 13, 2019
Category: foot surgery
Tags: foot pain   ankle pain   foot surgery  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that there are many reasons why patients may need podiatric surgery. In some cases, it can be the best or only way to correct a chronic foot problem such as weak ankles or bunions. Patients may also elect to have a surgical procedure to relieve pain and discomfort from conditions such as corns, ingrown toenails or heel spurs. Whatever the reason, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will want to ensure that you understand as much as possible about the surgery and the recovery period. Knowing what to expect will help you feel more confident and comfortable with the procedure. Below are some questions to ask to help you prepare.

  1. Where will the surgery be performed? Many toe, ankle and foot surgeries can be performed right in our Cromwell office or at an outpatient surgical center.
  2. What type of anesthesia will be used? Some foot surgeries can be performed using local anesthesia with or without a sedative; others require general anesthesia.
  3. How long will the surgery take, and will I need someone to drive me home?
  4. Is there any pre-op testing that needs to be done or restrictions in the days leading up to the surgery?
  5. After the surgery, how long will it be before I can bear weight on the affected foot? This is important to know so you can decide how to arrange things at home for your recovery. If your bedroom is upstairs, for example, you may want to set up a temporary room on the main floor if you will be non-weight bearing for a period of time.
  6. Will I need protective or assistive devices such as surgical shoes, scooter, crutches etc.?
  7. How long will the recovery period be? This is essential information for planning your time off from work and rearranging other engagements on your calendar.
  8. Will there be additional treatments or therapy needed after the surgery? In many cases, physical therapy may be needed to complete the recovery and rehabilitation. Don’t skip this step even if your foot feels fine—muscles, tendons, and ligaments may need to be strengthened in order to fully rehabilitate after surgery.

If you have additional questions regarding an upcoming podiatric surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 06, 2017
Category: Foot Care
Tags: foot pain   ankle pain   bumps   bruises  

If you or your older loved ones are showing signs of foot or ankle problems, it may be time to get a senior foot care checkup.

Aging is inevitable and experts will tell us that foot problems can be one of the first signs that your feet need different care then we needed (or didn’t need) in our younger years.  It is important to pay attention to your feet and contact a podiatrist as soon as symptoms begin.  understands podiatry no matter what stage of life your feet are in.

There are obvious changes that naturally happen as we age that could raise concern. Early warning signs in senior foot care can make a difference in one’s health. Take note to some points that may save you a lot of pain.

Signs of Senior Care:

  • Foot injuries that take too long to heal or don’t heal at all.
  • Excessive and abnormal numbness or cramping in feet.
  • Sensitivity to very hot or cold temperature.
  • If feet are in pain while walking but are relieved when resting.

Feet that are healthy and pain free help you to keep your balance, which prevents slips and falls. This is a major cause for injury and hospitalization with elders.

Topics of Priority:

  • Create a foot care kit to have available when needed.
  • Wear lose fitting, clean and dry socks every day.
  • Keep your nails clipped straight across the tip of the nail.
  • Shoes are very important and they should fit comfortably with a wide toe box and arch support along with adequate cushioning in the sole.
  • Clean your feet gently every day with warm water and soap and pat them dry rather than rubbing.
  • Inspect your feet often and check for bruises, bumps, cuts or change in color.
  • Moisturize your feet but make sure it doesn’t get stuck in between your toes

Do not ignore the signs of aging with foot and ankle pain. Let Dr. Mucinskas keep your feet young by calling Feet First Foot Care LLC in Cromwell, Ct. at 860-632-5499 for an appointment. Catch our early bird special and keep your feet moving!

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416