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Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for tag: flat feet

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 03, 2022
Category: foot pain

Our feet bear the weight of all our daily activities. It only makes sense that our lower extremities experience a great deal of wear and tear. That is why our team of experts has curated 5 highly recommended tips for foot pain recovery. Whether you have plantar fasciitis, flat feet, ankle problems, or any other foot condition, then these tips are essential. 

Expert Recommended Tips for Foot Pain

  1. Consult a Doctor, Rather Than Waiting It Out. Don’t let your foot pain hold you back from being active. Most foot problems can be solved without the use of invasive surgery. Multiple experts advise that you should not wait to get help if you are suffering from foot pain, due to the multiple treatment options. Early intervention can also help prevent worse problems later. Therefore, it is best to speak with a doctor as soon as possible to get relief.
  2. Ditch Unsupportive Shoes. This may be a no-brainer, but it is a tip that should not be forgotten. Ditch all shoes that make you uncomfortable or do not provide you with the support you need.
  3. Consider Custom Orthotics or Supportive inserts. The inserts that come in your sneakers might not be doing nearly enough to counteract your foot pain. Some people, especially those who have pain due to flat feet, might need custom-molded orthotics. 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.
  4. Repurpose Old Tennis Balls and Water Bottles for At-Home-Relief. Relief does not have to come in the form of expense. You might already have the most helpful tools on hand. Try freezing a tennis ball or water bottle and then rolling it under your foot for quick pain relief that doubles as an ice and stretching treatment. This trick has worked especially well for patients dealing with heel pain.
  5. Don’t Walk Barefoot. People that suffer from foot injuries, such as plantar fasciitis shouldn’t spend any time barefoot. Spending extended periods barefoot can further aggravate conditions like plantar fasciitis. Instead, make sure an ultra-supportive pair of shoes or slippers are nearby, even for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.

Schedule an appointment

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. 

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
August 08, 2022
Category: Flat Feet

Summertime’s still fresh in the air and when the sun’s out, a walk to the beach is a favorite vacation activity. For some of us, walking for extended periods might be uncomfortable, but for others, it can be painful. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want our patients well-informed about any existing conditions they have, or continuous foot or ankle pain they may be experiencing. Patients suffering from flat feet may not experience any pain at all, but prolonged strain can affect the knees and hips. Flat feet could also alter the alignment of your legs and cause further muscle pain. 

Causes

Flat feet are when the arches under your feet aren’t visible when you stand up. This is normal in infants whose arches develop later in childhood, but some adults retain flat feet. This can also happen due to years of wear and tear, where the tendons supporting the arch and running along the inside of your ankle fall over time, or if you have a family member that passed down the gene. There are several risks that could also contribute to the condition, which include:

Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms would be foot pain in the heel or arch where strained muscles and ligaments are affected. Other symptoms include:

  • Pain when walking or changes in your stance
  • Leg cramps
  • Stiffness in the calves, hip, or lower back

Treatment

Treatment isn’t a necessity if the condition isn’t causing significant problems, but there are several ways to ease the discomfort. Surgery is rarely needed to treat flat feet and most people don’t find the need to treat it at all, but for those who seek treatment, here are some options:

When to Call a Podiatrist

If you’re having trouble balancing, experiencing pain while walking or feel like your feet are stiff, it’s always best to consult a podiatrist. Our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas is specially trained to diagnose and determine what the next best course of action would be. To schedule an appointment at our Middlesex County office call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
May 23, 2022
Category: heel pain

The arches of the feet play a critical role in overall wellbeing. They are strong yet flexible. The arches distribute weight evenly across your feet and up your legs while providing you a spring in your step. When your arches are too high, too low, or nonexistent, they cause a ripple effect of misalignment and malfunction.

What Is Flat Foot?

A flatfoot disorder is often characterized by diverse symptoms, varying degrees of deformity, and disability, and many types of flatfoot have one common characteristic: a collapsed arch (loss of arch). A flatfoot also tends to point outward, with the toes and front part of the foot pointed outward. A tight Achilles Tendon can cause the heel to lift off the ground too soon when walking, leading to bunions and hammertoes.

Symptoms

The following symptoms may occur in persons with flatfoot:

  • Pain in the heel, arch, ankle, or along the outside of the foot
  • Rolled-in ankle (overpronation)
  • General aching or fatigue in the foot or leg
  • Low back, hip, or knee pain

Non-Surgical Treatments

If you experience symptoms of flatfoot, a podiatrist may recommend non-surgical treatment options. These usually include:

  • Modifying Activities. Avoid prolonged walking and standing to give your arches a rest.
  • Weight loss. Maintaining a healthy diet is important for overall wellbeing. Putting too much weight on your arches may aggravate symptoms of flat feet.
  • Orthotic devices. Your podiatrist can provide you with custom orthotic devices for your shoes to give more support to the arches.
  • Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities may provide temporary relief.
  • Shoe modifications. Wearing shoes that support the arches of the feet is crucial for anyone who suffers from a flat foot.

Pediatric Flat Foot- A Cause for Alarm?

Not all children have symptoms, but others will complain of pain, tenderness, or cramping in the foot, leg, and knee. Pediatric Flatfoot tends to make participating in activities more difficult, so parents should take note if their child is unable to keep up with playmates, tires easily, or voluntarily withdraw from physical activities.

When To See a Podiatrist

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas provides treatment for a range of conditions at Feet First Foot Care LLC. If you or a loved one are experiencing any pain in the feet or ankles, call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 to schedule an appointment or visit our website for further information. 

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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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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
April 24, 2019
Category: heel pain

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:

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.

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