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Podiatrist - Cromwell
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Cromwell, CT 06416

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
May 30, 2018

Your toes are pretty amazing. Check them out! They cooperate together to help your body balance – if you were missing just one toe, you’d have to relearn how to do most activities. Can you imagine trying to dance without your big toe? It would be tough! That’s not to say that people don’t master those skills if they are missing a toe for whatever reason. Occasionally toes must be amputated because of injuries, infections, or diabetic complications. In those cases, a podiatrist can often build a custom orthotic to assist in “replacing” the lost toes.

Your toes are important and it’s important to take care of them. Check out some of the things that could happen if you don’t take proper care:

  • Bunions and Bunionettes – Painful bony protrusions can form on the outside of your feet. If they form on your big toe, they’re called a bunion. If they form on the base of your pinky toe, they are a bunionette. Either way, they hurt! They are often caused by shoes that are too tight, although genetics plays a role in their forming as well.
  • Hammertoe – Poorly fitting shoes can also lead to hammertoes. This deformity occurs on the second, third, or fourth toe. The middle joint of the toe is bent up, resembling a hammer.
  • Corns – Thickened patches of skin caused by rubbing or pressure from a shoe are called corns. Because of the unnatural positioning of the toe, hammertoe can often lead to corns.
  • Claw Toe – A claw toe is a similar deformity to hammertoe, but your toes bend in a different direction and the causes can be different. Claw toe is often caused by nerve issues associated with diabetes or alcoholism.
  • Athlete’s foot – If you’ve ever had that itchy, scaly, red skin between your toes, you know how uncomfortable athlete’s foot can be! Easily prevent this by keeping your feet clean and dry. Always wear shoes in public places like pools, gyms, or locker rooms.
  • Toenail fungus – Nails infected with fungus are discolored, brittle, and easily broken. The fungus can rise up and crack the nail bed. Toenail fungus can be very tough to treat and requires a podiatry visit immediately.
  • Ingrown toenails – Trimming your toenails correctly and wearing properly-fitting shoes are some of the best ways to prevent ingrown toenails. A proper trim is straight across and not too close to the nail bed.

Most of these toe issues can be prevented with a little extra vigilance and care for your toes. If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, or have noticed any changes in the skin or nail quality on your toes, we can help. Dr. Adam Mucinskas stays abreast of the latest technologies and treatments in podiatric medicine and can help get you on the path to healthy toes, feet, and ankles. To schedule an appointment at our convenient Cromwell, CT office, request one online or call us today at 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
May 21, 2018
Tags: bunionette  

In a cartoon world, a bunionette would be the bunion’s cute female counterpart – complete with a polka-dot dress and a cute pink bow. In the sometimes harsh reality of our real world, however, bunionettes (also known as Tailor’s Bunions) are painful, bony protrusions that manifest on the outside of the little toe. Luckily though, bunionettes can potentially be prevented, and, if they’ve already appeared, there are a myriad of helpful treatment options.

 

What causes a bunionette?

Like bunions, bunionettes can be caused by wearing narrow shoes or high heels. These shoes squeeze your toes into a pointed box, putting pressure on the bony joints in your outer toes. Often, however, individuals can have a genetic predisposition to bunionettes. Some people’s feet naturally shift to protrude into a bunionette as they age.

 

Symptoms of bunionettes

Bunionettes start out as a mild bump on your little toe, with little to no noticeable pain. As the growth progresses though, the toes’ ligaments stretch and the tendons begin to pull away from the toes, causing the bump to enlarge and the bony protrusion to become inflamed. This can start to be quite painful! As the bunionette grows, the little toe becomes more crooked and shoes can become difficult to wear or walking can become uncomfortable.

 

How do you treat bunionettes?

Early treatment is always best, so if you notice a bump on your small toe, call your podiatrist! Prevention is the best treatment, so avoiding shoes that squeeze your feet and high heels is the best practice. Other treatment includes using an orthotic insert that can help correct the position of your foot. Padding, taping, or splinting the affected toe can also help to correct the position and reduce pain. Anti-inflammation drugs can help alleviate pain as well. 

For patients whose symptoms are severe enough that they have trouble performing day-to-day activities, surgery might be necessary. Surgery can correct misaligned bones, crooked toes, and help to address the large bump protruding from the foot. Most patients are able to walk after the procedure, but healing can take up to 8 weeks in most cases.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we have treated bunionettes successfully for years. Dr. Adam Mucinskas has helped numerous patients resume their normal daily lives by working with their painful bunions. If you’re experiencing a painful protrusion on your feet, or any other foot or ankle issue, give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416