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Cromwell, CT 06416

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
November 28, 2022
Category: senior foot care

As we enter the winter months, our lower extremities need more attention, and unfortunately, because our feet are hidden, they are most often forgotten about or overlooked. Our specialists at Feet First Foot Care LLC want to remind our senior patients to care for their feet with love and care through every stage of life. The foot-care routine we recommend for our senior patients is different than what we recommend for the rest of our patients. This is because every senior patient has a unique history, and therefore a unique treatment plan for their foot and ankle problems. In this blog article, we will myth bust senior foot care. 

Do: Inspect feet regularly. Look for cuts, redness, swelling, blisters, sores, and any changes to nails or skin. Featured on our website, is a patient education section where we share further tips and tricks for senior foot care!

Don’t: Put off getting foot pain evaluated. It’s not normal for your feet to hurt if you’re a senior. The sooner you are able to seek help and get treatment for foot and ankle discomfort, the better the chances are that more serious foot complications will not develop.

Do: Keep the blood flowing. As you get older, your blood circulation to your feet can be diminished. To encourage proper circulation:

  • When sitting, prop your feet up.
  • When sitting for extended periods, wiggle your toes occasionally.
  • Stretch daily.
  • Massage your feet regularly.

Don’t: Forget to moisturize! Seniors need to keep their feet moisturized to avoid itching, cracking, and calluses. Always use gentle soap and put on lotion after your bath or shower.

Do: Get regular foot checkups from your podiatrist. Your podiatrist can identify problems like hammertoe, bunions, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, or wounds before they turn into more serious problems.

Don’t: Let your feet sit in wet or cold shoes/socks. Make sure your feet aren’t moist before you put your shoes on and change your socks on a regular basis. We recommend to our senior patients in the winter to always wear warm, dry, and protective boots and to keep an extra pair of warm, dry socks handy if you go out.

To schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas DPM, call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information. 

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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
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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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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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416