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

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Posts for tag: foot pain

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
March 15, 2021
Category: foot pain

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we are seeing an increase in Middlesex County patients' visits with unexplained foot pain. Patients are particularly puzzled because many of them have been doing very little except working from home and have severely limited their activities due to the COVID restrictions. If you're one of these people, we have one question for you: Are you wearing shoes when you're at home? If you answered no, that might be the cause of your foot pain.

The Problem of Going Barefoot

It’s a common habit for many people to come home at the end of the day and kick their shoes off. Going barefoot or wearing your favorite cozy slippers may seem natural and relaxing, but what about when you’re not “coming home?” If you never leave the house and barefoot has become your daily “shoe” of choice, you may notice your feet don’t feel so good.

Some podiatric disorders that can result from too much time out of shoes include:

  • Plantar Fasciitis—pain in the heel caused by inflammation of the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to toes
  • Metatarsalgia—a sharp or burning pain in the ball of your foot
  • Achilles tendonitis—usually identifiable by pain, aching, or soreness in the back of your lower leg anywhere from the calf to the top of your heel

Why Wearing Shoes Helps

One of the most important ways shoes help prevent the above conditions is by providing your foot with arch support. When your arch flattens as it tends to do when you walk barefoot or wear shoes like slippers or flip flops with no arch support, it places strain on other parts of your foot and leg. It, in turn, leads to inflammation and pain. Besides helping prevent the above conditions, wearing shoes also protect your feet and toes from getting stubbed or banged on hard objects and from cuts or puncture wounds.

If you’re experiencing pain in your toes, feet, ankles, or legs, make an appointment at our Cromwell office for an appointment today by calling 860-632-5499 so our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and get to the source of your discomfort. In the meantime, put on a good pair of shoes—even if you’re staying home!

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
October 26, 2020
Category: foot health

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists one of the conditions we see frequently in our Middlesex County patients is the ingrown toenail. Many people mistakenly ignore the first signs of pain associated with a nail that starts to grow down and back into the skin surrounding the nail. However, it quickly progresses to a condition that is incredibly painful. The toe becomes red, swollen, and very tender to the touch and makes wearing shoes and walking extremely difficult. Left untreated, an infection can also set in.

Common Causes of Ingrown Toenails

The most frequent reason ingrown toenails develop is improper nail care. Nails that are cut too short are more likely to grow into the skin. Rounding the edges with a nail file can also encourage ingrown nails.

Other risk factors include:

  • Wearing shoes and socks that are too tight
  • Heredity
  • Fungal infection
  • Faulty foot structure

Getting Relief from Ingrown Toenail Problems

At the first sign of a nail becoming ingrown, soak your foot in warm, soapy water several times a day. This will soften the skin and enable you to massage the skin and hopefully work the nail out. Usually, our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas sees ingrown toenails when they have reached the excruciating stage and patients can’t stand it any longer. The foot doctor will gently numb the affected nail and remove the corner of the nail that is ingrown. For some patients, ingrown toenails are a recurring problem. In severe cases, the podiatrist may need to perform a procedure to prevent the nail from becoming ingrown.

It’s important not to attempt any “bathroom surgeries” on your own and try to cut out an ingrown toenail. This will often lead to an injury or infection. Beware that folk remedies such as sticking a piece of cotton between the nail and the toe or cutting a notch out of the toenail are also ineffective and harmful.

If you have an ingrown toenail that needs treatment, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 for an appointment today.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 13, 2020
Category: shoes

You may not want to hear this: flip-flops are really bad for your feet! At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know for many of our Middlesex County patients, flip-flops are the footwear of choice, especially during the summer months. What could possibly be the harm in these oh so easy to wear summer favorites? Below are five reasons why flip-flops are really just a flop: 

  1. Increased risk of hammertoes. Think about what your toes have to do to keep your flip-flops on. They have to grab the front of the shoe to keep your foot from slipping off. This action, repeated over a long period can cause your toes to start to deform into the characteristic hammer shape, causing pain and disability.
  2. Most likely to contract a foot infection. The majority of fungal, viral, and bacterial foot infections are spread by coming in direct contact with them. Ever notice how dirty your feet are after wearing flip-flops? They provide no protection from coming in contact with the sources of athlete’s foot, warts, fungal toenails and the potentially more serious staph infection. Chances are even higher if you have any cuts or open sores.
  3. Hello injuries! The complete lack of structure of a traditional flip-flop, combined with the extra effort to keep them on your feet, means you have a much higher chance of twisting an ankle, falling, or crashing into a hard or sharp object that can cut or bruise your foot.
  4. Your heels say “ouch!” With only a thin piece of foam or rubber separating your heel from the ground, you subject this part of your foot to an excessive amount of impact and pressure. This in turn can lead to sore heels. In addition, the complete lack of arch support invites inflammation of the plantar fascia—another source of heel pain.
  5. You burn fewer calories. Flip-flops slow you down. You can’t walk at any kind of pace safely and consistently. One study actually found that flip-flop wearers take smaller steps than people who are wearing sneakers.

If you still can’t bear to part with your flip-flops, at least look into purchasing a pair that has some design and construction improvements for the health of your feet. Several companies have begun producing flip-flops with better arch support and cushioning that can help mitigate some of the negative factors of this type of shoe. If you are currently experiencing foot or heel pain (whether from overuse of flip-flops or another reason), contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and diagnose the source of your discomfort.

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August 13, 2019
Category: foot surgery
Tags: foot pain   ankle pain   foot surgery  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that there are many reasons why patients may need podiatric surgery. In some cases, it can be the best or only way to correct a chronic foot problem such as weak ankles or bunions. Patients may also elect to have a surgical procedure to relieve pain and discomfort from conditions such as corns, ingrown toenails or heel spurs. Whatever the reason, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will want to ensure that you understand as much as possible about the surgery and the recovery period. Knowing what to expect will help you feel more confident and comfortable with the procedure. Below are some questions to ask to help you prepare.

  1. Where will the surgery be performed? Many toe, ankle and foot surgeries can be performed right in our Cromwell office or at an outpatient surgical center.
  2. What type of anesthesia will be used? Some foot surgeries can be performed using local anesthesia with or without a sedative; others require general anesthesia.
  3. How long will the surgery take, and will I need someone to drive me home?
  4. Is there any pre-op testing that needs to be done or restrictions in the days leading up to the surgery?
  5. After the surgery, how long will it be before I can bear weight on the affected foot? This is important to know so you can decide how to arrange things at home for your recovery. If your bedroom is upstairs, for example, you may want to set up a temporary room on the main floor if you will be non-weight bearing for a period of time.
  6. Will I need protective or assistive devices such as surgical shoes, scooter, crutches etc.?
  7. How long will the recovery period be? This is essential information for planning your time off from work and rearranging other engagements on your calendar.
  8. Will there be additional treatments or therapy needed after the surgery? In many cases, physical therapy may be needed to complete the recovery and rehabilitation. Don’t skip this step even if your foot feels fine—muscles, tendons, and ligaments may need to be strengthened in order to fully rehabilitate after surgery.

If you have additional questions regarding an upcoming podiatric surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
June 06, 2017
Category: Foot Care
Tags: foot pain   ankle pain   bumps   bruises  

If you or your older loved ones are showing signs of foot or ankle problems, it may be time to get a senior foot care checkup.

Aging is inevitable and experts will tell us that foot problems can be one of the first signs that your feet need different care then we needed (or didn’t need) in our younger years.  It is important to pay attention to your feet and contact a podiatrist as soon as symptoms begin.  understands podiatry no matter what stage of life your feet are in.

There are obvious changes that naturally happen as we age that could raise concern. Early warning signs in senior foot care can make a difference in one’s health. Take note to some points that may save you a lot of pain.

Signs of Senior Care:

  • Foot injuries that take too long to heal or don’t heal at all.
  • Excessive and abnormal numbness or cramping in feet.
  • Sensitivity to very hot or cold temperature.
  • If feet are in pain while walking but are relieved when resting.

Feet that are healthy and pain free help you to keep your balance, which prevents slips and falls. This is a major cause for injury and hospitalization with elders.

Topics of Priority:

  • Create a foot care kit to have available when needed.
  • Wear lose fitting, clean and dry socks every day.
  • Keep your nails clipped straight across the tip of the nail.
  • Shoes are very important and they should fit comfortably with a wide toe box and arch support along with adequate cushioning in the sole.
  • Clean your feet gently every day with warm water and soap and pat them dry rather than rubbing.
  • Inspect your feet often and check for bruises, bumps, cuts or change in color.
  • Moisturize your feet but make sure it doesn’t get stuck in between your toes

Do not ignore the signs of aging with foot and ankle pain. Let Dr. Mucinskas keep your feet young by calling Feet First Foot Care LLC in Cromwell, Ct. at 860-632-5499 for an appointment. Catch our early bird special and keep your feet moving!

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416