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.

Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we hear a lot of misinformation about the field of podiatry. We put together a few myths that we commonly hear from patients that we wanted to clear up.

Set the record straight:

Myth: My podiatrist would not want to hear about the pain in my knees, calves, or ankles.

Fact: Your podiatrist needs to hear about the pain you’re having anywhere in your lower extremities. This will help them assess exactly what might be going on. Foot pain is often caused by a dysfunction anywhere from the knees to other parts of your lower leg. If you have pain in your calves, for instance, this can be a sign of an issue with your Achilles tendon such as Achilles tendonitis.

Myth: For “minor” issues like warts or ingrown toenails, I should just take care of them at home. My podiatrist only treats “major” issues.

Fact: Home remedies can make problems worse! We’ve seen many issues like ingrown toenails exacerbated by someone trying a “folk remedy” at home. This can often lead to a nasty infection which can be a huge problem, especially if the patient has diabetes. It’s always better to call our office if you’re suffering from any ailments in your feet.

Myth: It’s not important for the podiatrist to see my shoes.

Fact: Your podiatrist can deduce a lot about your feet from your shoes! Your shoes can shed light onto your gait, which can point to certain biomechanical issues such as overpronation. Your shoes also play a huge role in how healthy your feet are. If you wear unsupportive shoes like flip-flops all day, or spend a lot of time with your toes shoved together in high-heels, you can end up with painful issues like bunions. Your podiatrist can help to recommend the best style of footwear that will fit your feet and your lifestyle.

Do you have questions about your feet? You can bet that Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists has the answers! He 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.

We’re right smack in the middle of baseball season. If you’ve been practicing your homerun swing this year, you know it can take a lot out of you! Though it might not seem as dangerous as a contact sport like tackle football, if you’ve ever twisted your ankle diving for a ball or suffered a stress fracture rounding the bases, you know how your body can take a beating. There are many common foot injuries associated with America’s pastime. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we’ve compiled some of the common ones, along with great ways to prevent them.

The most common injuries in baseball:

• Sprains and fractures: quick sprints, slides, and pivots are a huge part of baseball. After you get a solid slug, you want to round the bases as quickly as possible to avoid getting tagged out. These herky-jerky movements can often lead to overstretching a tendon or ligament or fracturing a bone.
• Achilles tendinitis: brief sprints followed by pauses repeatedly can shock your Achilles tendon and cause it to become inflamed.
• Plantar fasciitis: catchers are in a squatting position for long stretches of a baseball game, often causing their arches to hurt. Heel spurs can also occur from prolonged plantar fasciitis.
• Ingrown toenails: tight cleats that squeeze your toes together can cause ingrown toenails.

Prevention is key for all sports injuries. To keep yourself in the game, follow these tips:

• Practice good warmup and cooldown techniques before and after playing
• Get the right gear and ensure your baseball cleats are a proper fit
• Learn good running and sliding techniques and always keep them in practice
• Rest when you need to and let your body recover between playing
• Stay hydrated
• Keep up with podiatry appointments, especially if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort

A sprain or slight injury might not seem like a big deal when you’re in the heat of the game, but without proper treatment, it can worsen and potentially lead to a chronic foot issue. If your safety practices have waned throughout the baseball season, now might be a great time to reassess them to ensure your feet and ankles stay safe and healthy.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help assess your foot and ankle health and ensure your season continues well. If you have sustained an injury this year, Dr. Mucinskas can assess and administer any needed pain relief. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.