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.

Did you know that you have 33 joints in each of your feet? That’s a good reason for us at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC to recognize National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis afflicts nearly 54 million adults and 300,000 youth in our country. It is the top cause of disability. Protecting the health of the joints in your feet and ankles is an important component of living an active life. Food choices can play a big role in both preventing and reducing arthritis symptoms.

Weighty Matters

One significant way you can help prevent arthritis and also lessen the pain it causes in your feet and ankles is by maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight puts extra strain on the joints of your lower extremities and can accelerate the degeneration of the cartilage that cushions the joints. It’s also easier to be active and participate in fitness and sports activities if you are at a healthy weight. This, in turn, also improves joint health by helping to maintain flexibility and range of motion.

Building Bone Strength

Increasing bone strength is beneficial for your joints. Getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D (which is necessary for calcium absorption) in your diet is essential. Low-fat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and milk are all excellent sources. If you are lactose intolerant, you can also look to get your calcium from leafy greens and fortified juices and cereals.

Fighting Inflammation

There are several kinds of food that have been found to have the ability to help fight inflammation and reduce an inflammatory response in the body. These include: fish high in omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon and mackerel, olive oil, cherries, strawberries and avocado, to name a few. Talk to your doctor about which foods may best help you if you are suffering from joint disease.

Treatments for arthritis are most successful when they begin in the earliest stages of the disease. If you start to experience joint pain or other symptoms in your feet or ankles like stiffness, swelling or difficulty bending or flexing a joint, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will evaluate your feet and ankles and determine the source of your symptoms, as well as the best treatment.

Is heel pain making it difficult for you to stand, walk and perform basic daily activities? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we urge patients to not put off getting heel pain evaluated. There are many possible causes of heel pain and nearly all of them will only get worse – not better – without treatment. Below are some of the more common sources of heel discomfort:

Faulty Foot Mechanics

Frequently, a defect in the biomechanics of the feet is the root source of heel pain. An abnormal gait may result in too much pressure and stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues surrounding it. Muscle and ligament imbalances can cause conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet and heel spurs which can cause severe pain in the heel.

Overuse

Another common cause of heel pain is overuse. Starting a new fitness program or sport too intensely or neglecting to schedule rest days into your workout regimen can result in heel trouble. In children and teens, a condition known as Sever’s Disease results in inflammation of the growth plate area and is caused by too much repetitive stress due to sports. Excessive and repetitive force on the heel can also create a stress fracture in the heel bone or cause another acute injury to the heel.

Disease

There are also a number of diseases and conditions that can contribute to heel pain, including:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Neuroma
• Haglund’s deformity
• Achilles tendonitis

To determine the source of heel pain and, subsequently, the correct treatment, you need to schedule an appointment at our Cromwell office so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will be able to examine your foot. Imaging studies such as x-rays or MRI’s may be ordered to give a more detailed picture of your heel. Once a cause is found for your pain, the foot doctor will prescribe the best treatment for you. Contact us today for an appointment by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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.