Here’s a surprising statistic: According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, 9 out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small for their feet and 8 out of 10 women say their shoes hurt. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we want our patients to know that too-tight shoes can lead to a myriad of foot issues. Here are a few of the common foot problems we see due to improperly-fitting shoes:

• Ingrown toenails – if shoes are too tight in the toe box, toes get cramped in together. This greatly increases the chances of getting an ingrown toenail. A jagged-edged nail or one that is too short being shoved into the skin around the nail can start growing back into the skin. Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful and can lead to infection if the skin is penetrated and bacteria enter the wound.
• Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus – fungi and bacteria absolutely love damp, dark places with little or no air circulation. That sounds exactly like the environment created inside a shoe that’s too small!
• Bunions, hammertoes, or other deformities – when toes are forced into an unnatural position over and over, such as being crammed together in a small shoe, they can eventually work themselves out of their normal position. As displacement progresses, bones can become deformed, causing permanent disabilities as a new toe position can be painful and change a person’s gait.
• Corns, calluses, and blisters – these three issues are caused by friction or pressure being applied to an area of the foot repeatedly.

The best way to avoid any and all of these issues is to shop for shoes properly! Always have your feet measured by a professional when you shoe shop. Age or life conditions such as pregnancy can change your foot size and shape. If you know you need new shoes, try to go out shopping for them at the end of the day when your feet are their most swollen.

If you’ve got questions about fitting shoes, or if you’re dealing with any of the above-listed foot issues, give us a call today. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help to answer any questions you might have. He’s got years of experience to diagnose and treat any foot or ankle issue and get you back on your feet quickly. Our conveniently-located office serves the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

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.

Feet are so cool! Obviously, we believe that here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists. We talk about feet nonstop! Mostly though, we talk to our patients about how to prevent and treat the foot woes that they are currently dealing with. Today, we thought we’d share some lesser-discussed foot facts with you. Here are four fun things about feet that you might not have known:

1. Each of your feet has over 250,000 sweat glands that produce sweat! Collectively, that means our feet can produce up to a half of a pint of sweat each day. That might seem gross to you, but it’s fascinating to us! It’s also a great reason to bring a pair of socks to change into in the middle of the day. Just think of that next time you’re thinking about walking barefoot on a gym locker-room floor!
2. Standing for an hour can actually make your feet feel more tired than if you were walking for the same amount of time! This is because standing uses just a few muscles, which means that the muscles being used are being used in an extra concentrated manner. They are working hard to compensate and balance your weight. This can be exacerbated by improper footwear or any pre-existing foot condition.
3. Everyone suffers from foot issues! Up to 5% of Americans have developed corns, calluses, fungal infections, or ingrown toenails. These are all issues that your podiatrist is trained and equipped to help you handle if you’re dealing with any of them.
4. Some people are born with flat feet. We know that our feet sometimes lose arches over time as we age or if we put on too many pounds, but some people are naturally born without that arch. If you notice this issue in your child, it can often be corrected using custom orthotics.

Like I said, we love feet! If you have any foot issues you need to talk about, Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists is here to help. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

Calluses happen when there is constant pressure being applied to a localized area of the foot. This action produces dense layers of dead skin that form this condition. They can occur when shoes are too tight because the shoe tends to rub against the skin of the foot in a forceful manner. It’s also important to understand that the hardening of the skin is in response to the friction to protect it. Although there is a good purpose behind their creation, they can, however, get painful. If the skin of the callus begins to break down, infections can occur through that opening and will have an optimal place with which to thrive due to the dark and moist conditions inside shoes. Other factors that can lead to the formation of calluses are deformities, wearing high-heeled shoes and using socks that do not fit correctly.

Treatment for calluses involves:

• Shaving down layers of dead skin by a medical professional so as to avoid any complications such as a bacterial or fungal infection.
• Utilizing salicylic acid to chemically burn off layers of dead skin without having to use a sharp instrument to cut them off.
• Orthotics are helpful for reducing pressure.
• Antibiotics to kill off infections.
• Surgical procedures may also be helpful if the above methods are not successful. This can be accomplished via correcting areas where bones are protruding or fixing other deformities.

Calluses can be hard to get rid of if they are allowed to develop into thick layers of dead skin. Once that dense area becomes infected, it can be difficult to treat. Therefore, please contact us when you start to notice their formation so that we can treat them before they become painful. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC located in Cromwell, CT, podiatrist Adam Mucinskas, D.P.M. can assist you with eliminating your calluses. Please make an appointment today by calling our office at (860) 632-5499. Our Patient Education section is another resource you can look into to learn more about this and many other feet and ankle conditions!

Foot reconstruction is an important and necessary procedure once the foot has become nonresponsive to conservative forms of treatment in certain situations. Our podiatrist, Adam Mucinskas, D.P.M., will help to develop the best reconstruction treatment plan for your feet at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, located in Cromwell, CT. Call our offices at (860) 632-5499 and review the Patient Education library on our website for more substantive information about this procedure.  

Foot reconstruction surgery is a huge procedure and is therefore undertaken as a last option. When foot deformities produce discomfort, and have you struggling when walking, other complications such as corns, calluses or other wounds may result. Significant deformities are usually caused by flatfeet, high arches, arthritis or severe traumatic events.

Conservative treatment for many foot conditions includes orthotics, wearing proper shoes and using other foot support devices. Reconstructive surgery, if elected, will involve moving bones into optimal locations, lengthening or relocating tendons and the fusing of bones. Complications that may eventually lead to this procedure are:

• Bunions.
• Pediatric defects.
• Flat feet.
• Foot fractures.
• Injuries sustained during high intensity activities.
• Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
• Heel Spurs.
• Infections.

This procedure’s main goals are to reduce severe pain and to once again reestablish a normal foot function. The type of reconstruction surgery to be utilized is determined by age, the specific complication and the advancement of symptoms. For example, a form of surgical reconstruction involves cutting the heel bone to reposition it in the best location via a screw mechanism. This type of surgery can help to place the heel bone in the best position to support the arch. Metal plates may also be used to increase the arch. Due to the seriousness and the many positive benefits that foot reconstruction surgery can have on your feet, please contact our offices to receive a comprehensive consultation and a potential reconstruction treatment plan. We can help restore your normal foot functions and get your feet back on the road to being the way they once were!