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

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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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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
October 02, 2019
Category: arthritis

During the month of October, we recognize World Arthritis Day. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want patients to realize that arthritis isn’t inevitable and there are steps you can take to reduce symptoms.

There are several misconceptions patients have about arthritis. The first is that arthritis is a single disease. It is actually an umbrella term that includes more than 100 disorders that affect the joints. Another misconception is that arthritis is a natural part of getting older that just has to be accepted. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Although osteoarthritis, the most common type, occurs as joints and cartilage wear down, your lifestyle choices can play a key role in determining whether you develop arthritis and its severity. Some ways to reduce your risk and your symptoms include:

  • Eating a healthy diet. Being overweight dramatically increases your risk of developing arthritis, especially in your feet and ankles. There are 33 joints in your feet, and they carry the weight of your entire body. Excess weight means excess strain and pressure on those joints. You can also help your bones and joints by ensuring you get enough calcium and vitamin D and avoiding fried foods and those high in sugar as these are known to cause joint inflammation.
  • Stay active. Regular exercise, particularly weight-bearing activities like walking, increase joint strength and help you maintain flexibility and full range of motion. You’ll also burn calories which will help keep your weight in check.
  • Be safe. Arthritis often sets in at the site of an old injury. Don’t take unnecessary chances. Practice ladder safety, drive carefully and take precautions to avoid sports injuries to reduce your chances of developing arthritis as you age.

Take Early Action

Recognize the symptoms of arthritis:

  • Joint stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning
  • Pain or tenderness in a joint
  • Limited range of motion
  • Swelling
  • Skin changes such as redness, warmth, rashes or growths

If experience any of these, don’t delay. Make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your feet and ankles and determine the source of your joint discomfort. Treatment in the early stages of many types of arthritis can significantly slow its progression and increase your mobility.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 11, 2019
Category: foot deformities
Tags: corns   calluses   arthritis   Hammertoe   orthotic device  

Do you notice that your second, third or fourth toe appears to be bending at the middle joint? This can be an early sign of a deformity known as hammertoe. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want patients to better understand this condition and the importance of seeking treatment early.

What Causes Hammertoes?

Hammertoes are the result of an abnormality in the balance of the muscles in the toes. Factors that can increase the risk of a hammertoe developing include:

  • Improperly fitting footwear—particularly shoes that are too tight in the toe box
  • Heredity
  • Trauma
  • Arthritis

Treatment Options

As the toe becomes more bent, the pain from walking and pressure from shoes increase. Secondary problems like corns and calluses may also develop on the affected toe. In addition to pain and discomfort, however, an even greater reason to seek treatment is to prevent the toe from becoming permanently rigid in that position. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will prescribe the treatment that is best for you. Some possibilities for relief include:

  1. Change your shoes—choose footwear made of soft material with roomy toe boxes.
  2. Stretch it out—exercises can be done to stretch the toe and strengthen surrounding muscles.
  3. Add some padding—nonmedicated gel cushions and pads can be applied to ease pain and provide a barrier between your foot and your shoe.
  4. Put it on ice—applying an ice pack to the hammertoe several times a day can reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.
  5. Ditch high heels—get rid of anything over 2-inches high, because they put too much pressure on your toes. Discard styles with narrow, pointy fronts as well.
  6. Tape it up—the foot doctor may use taping to correct the imbalance of the muscles in the toe.
  7. Go custom—an orthotic device prescribed by the podiatrist is made according to a model of your unique foot. The orthotic can help with the muscle imbalance and redistribute weight to relieve pain and inflammation.

A last resort, if conservative measures don’t bring relief, is a surgical procedure to correct the hammertoe.

If you believe you have a hammertoe forming, contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
May 29, 2019
Category: bone health

Did you know that nearly a quarter of all the bones in your body are found in your feet? While many of them may be tiny, they all play a critical role in carrying your body where you want to go and performing everyday activities. In recognition of National Osteoporosis Awareness Month, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists want to offer patients information about this crippling disorder that affects bone strength.

Recognizing Bone Density Problems

About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis. Unfortunately, you can’t feel your bones getting weaker and many patients don’t get diagnosed with this condition until they break a bone. That’s one more reason why it’s important to not put off getting foot pain diagnosed. Stress fractures may only exhibit annoying pain and swelling that’s not constant. Anytime you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, it’s critical that you make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your foot and determine if a fracture has occurred.

Assessing Your Risk

The foot doctor will also get a complete medical history from you and can help identify other risk factors for osteoporosis. In addition to being over the age of 50, these include:

  • Excessive or extreme dieting in the past
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Certain diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, breast or prostate cancer, sickle cell or Parkinson’s disease to name a few
  • Being very thin and having a small body type
  • Post-menopausal
  • Some medications, such as certain chemotherapy drugs, steroids, lithium, thyroid hormones and a few anti-seizure medications

Making Choices for Healthy Bones

Fortunately, there are many ways you can build stronger bones:

  • Get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Although milk and dairy products are the best- known sources, you can get calcium from other foods like canned fish, leafy greens and seeds. You can also try foods and beverages that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D and/or take a supplement to reach the desired daily intake.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Exercise regularly. Giving your bones a regular workout keeps them strong. Choose muscle-strengthening and weight-bearing types of activities.
  • Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.

If you have concerns about bone strength or are experiencing foot pain, contact us today.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416