Are you wondering if you’re at risk of developing bunions? Looking at the statistics, recent studies have shown that nearly 23% of people ranging from 18 to 65 years of age have developed bunions. When you look at populations 65 and older, that percentage jumps to nearly 35%.

While bunions are sometimes perceived as an inevitable condition pertaining to growing older, similarly to how arthritis is sometimes perceived, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Avoiding the development of bunions as we grow older can become a difficult task, but considering bunions are a bone deformity, they are anything but natural or inevitable. Among the statistics previously mentioned, a good portion of those individuals affected by bunion development has inherited their vulnerability to this deformity through their relatives. This means that someone whose grandmother and mother have both developed bunions is much more prone to developing bunions themselves. It ‘runs in the family,’ so to speak!

What can cause bunions to develop?

Shoes - when you wear unsupportive shoes, shoes that are too tight, or shoes that put immense pressure on your toes (i.e., high heels), this can trigger the development of a bunion deformity.

Genetics - look at the toes in your family! If two or more family members have bunions, it’s possible that bunion development could be hereditary.

Arthritis - folks with arthritis often develop issues in their extremities first. This includes our toes which can develop bunions due to the onset of arthritis.

Bunions can be caused by several different factors, but they all lead to the same result: a bony growth on the outer edge of your big toe that pushes the toe inward, causing pain and tenderness. Once bunions have become noticeable or painful, there isn’t much you can do to reverse the deformity besides surgical intervention. While surgery isn’t always necessary, there are ways to help it feel better and prevent it from worsening! This is where Dr. Adam Mucinskas comes in at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule an appointment.

It seems like with today’s busy lifestyles, aging does not always lead to senior citizens slowing down. In fact, many are staying active well into the “golden years.” One of the most important things to maintain an active lifestyle is to also maintain foot health.

How does aging affect feet?

As we age, our feet change in many ways. Below are some of the many things you might experience

• Arthritis. Nonstop business and the wear and tear of life take a toll on the joints in your feet, which can cause them to stiffen and become painful!
• Balance issues. Peripheral neuropathy can creep up and cause loss of sensation, weakness, and coordination issues. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of neuropathy, and diabetic risks increase with age.
• Foot and ankle swelling. Swelling is common with seniors and can come from hormonal shifts, cardiovascular disease, vein issues, or medications.
• Skin Issues. Lesions and other skin abnormalities are more likely to pop up as you age. Many growths or abnormalities are benign, but cancerous melanomas may also develop. Any new skin lesion or growth should be checked by a podiatrist. Older skin is also prone to drying, which can cause cracked heels, corns, and calluses.
• Toenail changes. Toenails often become thickened and more brittle with age, which can make them difficult to trim. To prevent ingrown toenails, always ensure that you trim them straight across.

Best practices for aging feet

Here are some tips to keep your feet spry and healthy:

• Wash them daily in warm water with soap and dry them thoroughly, paying attention to between the toes. Afterwards, apply a soothing moisturizing cream.
• Do daily foot checks. This is especially important if you have diabetes. Check between the toes, and use a mirror to check the soles. If you notice cuts, abrasions, blisters, or new growths, call us.
• Keep up with an aerobic exercise program to keep your blood flowing nicely. Check in with your doctor to ensure healthy and safe exercise.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide stable support and have good padding and extra room for your toes.

One of the best things you can do for your feet is to keep up with regular podiatry visits. If you’ve got questions about your feet as you age, we’re here for you 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 our bodies grow older, everything changes significantly including our feet! We use our feet a ton throughout our lives. Before turning 80, the average American will have walked over 100,000 miles! That mileage takes a toll on your feet. Here are a few things that happen as your feet age:

Increased discomfort:

Babies’ feet are pudgy and soft with a natural padding of collagen, elastin, and adipose. As we age, though, all of those agents diminish. The loss of cushioning can make long periods of standing or walking pretty painful.

Custom orthotics can help provide some comfort if you’re dealing with foot pain.

Arthritis:

This painful, chronic disease causes joint inflammation. Your feet and ankles have more than 30 joints in them, which means that arthritis has a lot of places to strike. It usually comes with morning stiffness and a limited range of motion.

There’s no cure for arthritis, but custom orthotics and medication can ease the discomfort

Bunions and hammertoes:

These foot deformities are caused partially by genetics, but can also be caused when something forces your toes into unnatural positions. Pressure from incorrectly fitting shoes or other sources can shift the bones in your foot and cause painful bunions or hammertoes.

Comfortable shoes will reduce the risk. If the issue is advanced, then surgery might be your best option.

Diabetes:

Diabetes can strike at any age, but the risk increases as we grow older. It often comes with diminished blood flow to your extremities, which can make your feet uncomfortably cold and cause cuts to not heal quickly. There are many other issues that come with diabetes, such as Peripheral Arterial Disease which is a restriction of blood vessels.

If you have diabetes, it is imperative that you check in with your podiatrist and regularly check your feet. Any changes in look or feel should be noted and reported to your foot doctor!

The best thing you can for your feet as they age is to keep a great relationship with your podiatrist. Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists works with feet of all ages! He utilizes the most up-to-date technology for diagnostics and treatments of any foot or ankle issue you might be experiencing. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we treat podiatric disorders that are caused or exacerbated by obesity. These issues include complications of diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and others. If you’ve got children, you know how important it is to keep them healthy and fit. We have put together three tips to keep your child on the path to a healthy weight for life.

Three tips to fight childhood obesity:

1. Educate: Teach your children about nutrition and fitness and all the great things that come with a healthy, active lifestyle. Utilize everyday opportunities to point out foods that are healthy, and foods that have damaging levels of sugar and fat. Show your kids news items or documentaries that discuss health conditions caused or affected by weight. Media often covers food and health trends. These could be great jumping-off points to teach your children about how to evaluate what is healthy and what is not.
2. Slowly swap foods: Gradually make food swaps with your family’s diet. Switch processed, prepackaged foods for whole foods like fruits and veggies. Pick up a healthy cookbook at the library to really spark some ideas. Use smaller plates when serving to exercise portion control. Experiment with cuisines and recipes from other cultures. Instead of frying foods, try cooking them in healthier ways such as broiling, oven roasting, or grilling. You can replace sugar-filled sodas with soda water or seltzer and squeeze in some fresh citrus or other fruit for a refreshing beverage.
3. Get moving: Set and strictly enforce limits on the amount of time your kids experience “screen time.” Encourage healthy physical activity every single day. Research a sport or activity with your child to get them involved in. If your kid is not participating in sports, you might have to get creative. Have them help with yard work or walk the dog, ride their bike, or set up a basketball hoop in the driveway to get them outdoors and active. It’s great to find activities that you enjoy doing as a family and it sets a great example for your kids. Swimming, hiking, and kayaking are all great activities to try out as a family!

If your kids develop healthy habits and a healthy weight now, they will be more likely to carry that into adulthood. If you have concerns or questions about your kids’ feet, Feet First Foot Care Specialists are here to help! Dr. Adam Mucinskas utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and cutting-edge treatments at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 48% of Americans over age 18 suffer from some pain in the musculoskeletal system. That’s nearly half of the adults in this country walking around with pain in bones or muscles!

Pain management is something we talk to patients about here often at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. It’s no surprise when you look at the foot too! In each of your feet, there are 28 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles. It’s might seem like a tall order to keep all those moving parts healthy, but it just takes a few steps.

We’ve put together the following simple tips to keep your bones and joints healthy and pain-free:

• Try weight-bearing exercises like lifting weights, jogging, kickboxing, or power walking. Low-impact exercises like swimming can also keep your muscles and joints active.
• Wear the right gear. Getting the right shoes and protective gear for whatever activity you’re taking on is necessary to keep your body safe.
• Don’t overdo it. Pain is your body’s way of telling you: “Cut it out!” Pushing past pain, or trying to “walk it off” could result in further injury.
• Get the proper minerals. Vitamin D and calcium work in tandem to keep your bones healthy. Calcium can be easily attained from dark leafy greens, dairy, and some nuts. Vitamin D helps your bones absorb that necessary calcium, and can be obtained by soaking up the sun or through a vitamin supplement.

Not taking care of your body can have painful recourses. Here are some of the medical conditions that can arise in your foot’s musculoskeletal system.

• Arthritis – chronic pain in the joints is usually because of arthritis. Common forms of this are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Maintaining healthy joints can help slow the onset of arthritis in some cases.
• Osteoporosis – osteoporosis makes your bones brittle and weak, which can easily cause fractures. Calcium and vitamin D in the right amounts can help prevent this disease.
• Gout – if you have high levels of uric acid in your body, it could cause a sudden painful inflammation of the joints in your big toe. This condition is often caused by eating too many foods high in a substance called purines.

If you are suffering from pain in your joints, muscles, or any other part of your feet or ankles, it’s time to make an appointment with us. Dr. Adam Mucinskas offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment at his office here in Cromwell, CT. Request an appointment online or call us at (860) 632-5499.