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

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 13, 2022
Category: orthotics

A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association determined that more than three-quarters of Americans suffer from foot pain. About 83 percent of those surveyed said their chronic symptoms limited their activities, including their ability to work, walk, and exercise. If the patients surveyed could eliminate their foot pain and discomfort, 45 percent said they would increase their activity levels. It is where custom orthotics come in! Custom orthotics are prescription inserts that provide comfort and support. 

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we offer custom orthotics to all our patients to treat a wide range of foot conditions. If you or a loved one are suffering from chronic foot pain, contact our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860-)632-5499 to schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas. 

A thorough examination will be conducted, and you may be asked a series of questions. It will help our podiatrist better understand your condition. From there, precise measurements of your feet and gait will be taken (how you walk). Your custom measurements will be sent to a lab where your orthotics will be made uniquely for you! Customized or prefabricated orthotics have improved pain and function within 1 to 3 months with little to no risk.

Foot Conditions Custom Orthotics Fix         

  1. Heel Spurs. Because they're made specifically for the patient, orthotics can be created to relieve pressure points on and around your heel while also providing ample support for the rest of the foot. Custom orthotics can be especially successful in reducing heel pain and related symptoms, like inflammation and irritation.
  2. Bunions. Orthotics help by supporting the foot and reducing excess pressure on the big toe joint. It can help reduce symptoms and slow the progression of bunion development.
  3. Plantar Fasciitis. Orthotics can help restore optimal mechanics to relieve stress on the plantar fascia and thus, with time, reduce irritation and pain.
  4. Diabetes. Diabetes is known to cause poor circulation and nerve damage known as neuropathy. In some cases, this can make your shoes feel extremely uncomfortable. Custom orthotics will help to eliminate pressure and provide support without damaging your feet further.
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September 13, 2021
Tags: foot pain   heel pain   bunions   Fall Footwear  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know as our Middlesex County patients switch from summer sandals to fall footwear, the transition may not go as smoothly as we like. Summer shoes tend to be more open and not as constricting as closed styles which become the norm in the fall.

Three common podiatric problems you may see in the fall and what to do about them:

Problem: Athlete’s foot. shoes invite fungal and bacterial infections. With all the barefoot traffic summer sees around swimming pools and in seaside changing areas and restrooms, infections are prevalent. If you’ve started back to the gym, there’s a high likelihood infection is present in communal showers and locker rooms. These dark, moist spaces are the perfect breeding ground for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.

Solution: Foot infections spread by direct contact. Keeping your feet covered in public places will help prevent you from getting one. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes multiple days in a row. Allow a day or two in between uses for shoes to air out. Choose shoes made of natural, breathable materials.

Problem: Heel Pain. If one of the reasons you hate to see summer end is because you love living in flip-flops, there’s a good chance your heels will be hurting once you go back to regular shoes. That’s because traditional flip-flops do not provide any arch support. It, in turn, aggravates the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue along the bottom of your foot—and causes your heels to hurt.

Solution: Try to gradually transition to traditional shoes, wearing them a few hours a day and increasing usage slowly. You may also need to do some stretching exercises to help decrease inflammation in the plantar fascia.

Problem: Bunion Pain. Ah, it was so nice to wear open-toed shoes that didn’t press on your bunion and make it hurt! Going back to closed-toe styles may mean an increase in the pain and discomfort you experience from your bunions.

Solution: Some additional padding may help to protect a sensitive bunion. You may also have to consider shoes that are a little larger or at least designed with a roomier toe box. It may also be time to have the podiatrist check to see if your bunion progresses to a point where a different treatment plan is necessary.

With all of the above foot problems and any new uncomfortable symptoms you develop, if they persist, it’s best not to put off making an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your feet and track down the source of your discomfort as well as the best solution to bring you relief.

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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 21, 2019
Category: Foot conditions

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, the health of your feet is our number one priority. One way we encourage our patients to keep their feet healthy is by contacting our Cromwell office as soon as they experience pain or other unusual foot symptoms. This way, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your feet and determine if there is a foot disorder present. However, there are many ways you can be good to your feet when they’re not hurting so that they can continue to enable you to live the active life you love.

  • Get your feet professionally measured. Did you know that some studies show that 90% of people are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet? Cramped toe boxes can increase the risk and severity of bunions and hammertoes.
  • Don’t wear flat shoes. For proper alignment and biomechanical functioning, your arches need support. When feet are flat, it causes heel pain and can lead to plantar fasciitis.
  • Wash your feet every day. This simple act can help prevent many foot infections.
  • Keep an extra pair of socks in your bag. Fungi love moist, warm, dark places. When your feet sit in damp socks, you are creating the perfect environment for fungal infections to thrive.
  • Don’t go barefoot. Keeping your feet covered will lower your risk for athlete’s foot, fungal toenails and warts—all of which are spread by direct contact.
  • Don’t file your toenails with rounded edges. This encourages the nail to grow downward and can lead to painful ingrown toenails.
  • Exercise regularly. This has several benefits for your feet. First, it keeps them flexible and helps maintain range of motion. Regular exercise also reduces the risk and the severity of arthritic conditions. In addition, it helps prevent heart disease and high blood pressure which can cause harm to your feet.
  • Skip the second helpings. A lower weight means less strain on your feet and ankles.

If you have health concerns about your feet or questions about being proactive about their health, contact us at (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 18, 2019
Category: pregnancy

Although pregnancy is a happy time, at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we know that your feet may not be rejoicing! They will have to carry a lot more weight than normal as your pregnancy progresses and this can lead to foot and ankle problems you don’t normally experience. Fortunately, most foot discomfort can be avoided or at least significantly reduced by following some simple suggestions.

Checkup on Podiatric Conditions

Start by making an appointment at our Cromwell office so that our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can examine your feet and ankles and check on any chronic podiatric issues you may have such as bunions, flat feet or plantar fasciitis—all of which can be exacerbated by pregnancy. The foot doctor will monitor your condition during pregnancy and can suggest helpful ways to relieve discomfort and prevent existing conditions from worsening.

Buy Some New Shoes

Your footwear choices during pregnancy may need to be adjusted. As your abdomen grows, your center of gravity will change. Low, wide heels will provide the best stability. Don’t go with flats, however, as the excess weight will also put pressure on the arches of your feet, requiring more support to avoid arch and heel pain. In the last trimester of your pregnancy you may begin to notice that your shoes feel tight. This can be the result of hormones which your body releases to relax ligaments in preparation for birth. These hormones can cause your feet to spread, necessitating bigger or wider shoes. For some women, an increase of about half a size in shoes may be permanent.

Put Your Feet Up

You may find especially in the later phases of your pregnancy that your feet hurt more. Elevating feet periodically throughout the day and at the end of the day can help them feel better. Putting your feet up can also help reduce swelling of the feet and ankles—another common symptom of pregnancy.

If you are experiencing discomfort or unusual foot or ankle problems while pregnant, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416