As the school year draws to a close, many of our patients at Feet First Foot Care Specialists will be thinking about spending some time at one of our many beautiful shoreline beaches. Without the proper precautions, however, your beach day can be the cause of seriously uncomfortable foot or ankle problems. Beware of these potential dangers and take the necessary steps to keep your feet safe.

Jellyfish—a jellyfish that has washed up on the beach can still sting you if you step on it. If this happens, remove tentacles from the foot. Apply vinegar or baking soda to reduce pain and swelling. Any jellyfish sting that does not heal within a few days will require a visit to our Cromwell office so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine the wound.

Fungal Infections—warm, moist places where lots of people walk barefoot are the perfect place for bacterial and fungal infections to thrive. Keep your feet covered by wearing flip flops or shower shoes to the public restrooms and changing areas or you may come home with the unwanted souvenir of athlete’s foot or fungal toenails.

Ankle Sprain or Foot Injury—a game of beach volleyball is starting up. You left your sneakers home but what harm can come from playing a friendly pick-up game either barefoot or wearing your flip flops? Actually, plenty. The shifting sands require shoes with strong ankle support and good tread to prevent ankle sprains.

Puncture Wounds and Cuts—another good reason to keep your feet coved for a day at the beach is to avoid stepping on a nail, piece of broken glass or another sharp object that may be beneath the surface of the sand.

Sun Burn—the skin on your feet needs protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Apply a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

If, despite your best attempts, you do receive an injury at the beach, make an appointment with us as soon as possible at our Cromwell, CT office located in Middlesex County. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can provide you with a fast and accurate diagnosis and the treatment to get you back on your feet.

In May we celebrate Older Americans Month. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, one of our goals is to educate our patients about the best ways to be proactive about their podiatric health. For senior patients, falls are a problem that can cause debilitating injuries like fractures and ankle sprains to the feet (or the rest of your body). You may be shocked to learn that every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall. Below are some fall risks you may have never thought about.

Foot Pain that’s Untreated—when your feet or ankles hurt, it can cause you to alter the way you walk to avoid the pain. This can throw you off balance and cause a trip or fall. This is why it’s essential that you don’t put off seeking treatment for foot pain or other symptoms like stiffness or numbness. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your lower extremities, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can diagnose your problem and prescribe the correct treatment.

Medication Changes—certain drugs or combinations of drugs can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. It’s a good idea to periodically review the complete list of medications you are taking with the pharmacist or doctor to find out if there are any negative interactions or side effects that could lead to a fall.

Neglecting Eye and Ear Checkups—poor vision or hearing loss will definitely contribute to your ability to navigate your environment safely. Follow your doctor’s recommended schedule of checkups and update prescriptions for glasses and/or hearing aids promptly.

Lack of Exercise—the less active you become, the more likely that joints will stiffen and range of motion in your knees and feet will decrease. This can cause you to stumble. In addition to your regular exercise regimen, consider a class that specifically focuses on building balance to further reduce your risk of falls.

Inadequate Lighting—stairways that are dim or hallways you need to use at night to get to the bathroom should all be properly lit so that you can see clearly – even at night.

Worn Out Shoes—shoes that are stretched out or have holes or worn treads can be a tripping hazard. Toss shoes when they no longer fit properly.

Preventing falls is just one way to protect your foot health. If you have questions about other foot care issues, contact us today.

There are tons of fun and exciting sports to try your hand at during the winter, but unfortunately, lots of those sports can also come with serious injuries! Every year millions of people grab their poles and hit the slopes, lace up their skates and hit the ice, or try out some other new winter sporting activity. As fun as these activities can be year after year, they also come with the risk of foot and ankle injuries like ankle sprains, strains, and fractures.

If you’re making plans to participate in any winter sports this year, follow these safety tips to prevent injuries:

• Use the buddy system – even if you are an expert, it’s safer to have someone nearby to provide assistance or to get help immediately if needed. It’s also more fun to have a friend!
• Get the appropriate safety gear – helmets, goggles, boots, and any other needed equipment are essential to keeping your body protected and avoiding injuries.
• Learn the rules – if it’s your first time participating in this activity, read up on any rules and sign up for lessons to know how to avoid getting yourself hurt.
• Do your warmups – in freezing temperatures, your muscles are more susceptible to injury. Stretching and warming them up helps in prevention.
• Dress in layers – insulate your body against the cold to prevent conditions like chilblains or frostbite.
• Take breaks – in the cold, your body exerts even more energy. Take breaks and allow yourself to recover and warm up.
• Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids during and after sports to prevent cramping and other issues.

You can prevent a lot of winter injuries by staying healthy, limber, warm, hydrated, and nourished during any sports you take part in. That said, accidents do occur! If you hurt your foot or ankle out on the slopes or the ice, call a podiatrist immediately.

If you sustained a sports injury, we’re here for you here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. 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.

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.