What is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes. It occurs most commonly in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight-fitting shoes. Typically contracted in damp communal places, such as locker rooms or public pools, Athlete’s foot is contagious and can also occur in non-athletes. If you are experiencing a scaly rash that is consistently itching and burning, Dr. Mark Forman can help.

Athlete’s foot spreads easily. You can get it by touching the toes or feet of a person who has it. It is important to treat Athlete’s foot at the first sign of infection as the body can become vulnerable to other bacterial infections as large cracks occur in the skin. Common symptoms are peeling, cracking, and scaling of the feet. If left untreated, the skin may become highly sensitive to the touch and the condition can result in white, peeling skin and a milky discharge.

If you believe you are suffering from Athlete’s Foot, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services Dr. Mark Forman provides, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Causes for Corns

Corns and calluses are protective layers of compacted, dead skin cells and although Dr. Mark Forman treats both conditions, in this particular post we are going to discuss the causes and treatments for corns. Corns on the feet are thickened areas of skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure or rubbing (friction) on the skin. You should never cut your corns at home and if you suspect that you have one, please give us a call.

Corns can be annoying, but your body produces them to protect sensitive skin. Corns generally occur on the tops and sides of the feet. A hard corn is a small patch of thickened, dead skin with a central core. A soft corn has a much thinner surface and usually occurs between the 4^th and 5^th toes. A seed corn is a tiny, discrete callous that can be very tender if it’s on a weight-bearing part of the foot. Seed corns tend to occur on the bottom of the feet, and are normally caused due to plugged sweat ducts.

If you have further questions about corns, give us a call. To learn more about the services Dr. Mark Forman provides, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

What is a Ganglion?

Ganglion cysts are among the most common benign soft-tissue masses. Although they most often occur on the wrist, they also frequently develop on the foot – usually on the top, but elsewhere as well. Ganglion cysts vary in size, may get smaller and larger, and may even disappear completely. To diagnose a ganglion cyst, Dr. Mark Forman will perform a thorough examination of the foot.

A ganglion cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. The word “ganglion” means “knot” and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin. They are usually caused by repeated irritation that weakens joint or tendon lining and if you wear boots or other restrictive footwear, you may be more susceptible to this condition. Ganglions grow slowly, but can cause severe irritation when they become too large. Treatment methods range from pads placed around the ganglion to reduce pressure, fluid removal, icing and as a last resort, surgery.

If you have further questions about ganglions, give us a call. To learn more about the services Dr. Mark Forman provides, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Flat Feet Condition

If you have flat feet, Dr. Mark Forman can help you put your best foot forward. You have flat feet when the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened, allowing the entire soles of your feet to touch the floor when you stand up. A significant amount of people with fallen arches (flat feet) experience no pain and have no problems. However, some people with flat feet can experience foot pain, particularly in the heel or arch area.

Flat feet are generally associated with pronation, a leaning inward of the ankle bones toward the center line. Some people have flat feet because of a developmental fault during childhood, while others may find that the problem develops as they age, or after a pregnancy. Symptoms may vary and generally depend on the severity of the condition, but there are some simple devices that Dr. Mark Forman could suggest which may prevent the complications of flat feet.

If you have flat feet and would like to discuss your treatment options, give us a call. To learn more about the services Dr. Mark Forman provides, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes is a condition in which excessively high glucose levels in the blood can jeopardize the health of the liver, eyes, kidneys and blood vessels. It can be dangerous to your feet also, to the point where even a small cut can produce serious consequences. Diabetes may cause nerve damage that takes away the feeling in your feet. It may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Visiting Dr. Mark Forman on a regular basis can help prevent the foot complications of diabetes. In the meantime, to avoid serious foot complications follow these guidelines.

• Wash and dry your feet daily – use mild soaps, warm water and pat your skin dry (do not rub). You can also apply lotion to your feet to prevent cracking; however, do not put the lotion between your toes.


• Examine your feet each day – check the tops and bottoms of your feet, and check for dry skin, as well as blisters, cuts, scratches, or other sores.


• Take care of your toenails – cut toenails after bathing, when they are soft and avoid cutting into the corners of toes.

If you have questions about the type of diabetic foot care Dr. Mark Forman provides, give us a call, or visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

What is Claw Toe?

Claw toe often affects the four smaller toes at the same time. The toes bend up at the joint where the toes and the foot meet. They bend down at the middle joints and at the joints nearest the tip of the toes. This causes the toes to curl down toward the floor. If you notice that your toe looks odd or is causing you pain, discuss it with Dr. Mark Forman. If left untreated, claw toe can lead to other problems such as calluses or scenarios where surgery may be necessary.  

Besides looking odd, claw toes may hurt, make it hard to find shoes that fit and rub against your footwear. In more severe cases, these toe deformities may affect your balance and make it hard to walk. To diagnose claw toe, Dr. Mark Forman will want to know what kind of shoes you wear on a daily basis and how much time you spend standing or walking every day, as well as any previous foot problems you have had. During your physical exam, he will look at your foot to see if the toe joint is fixed or flexible. If you have claw toe in the early stages, a splint or tape may be recommended to hold your toes in their correct position.  

If you have symptoms of claw toe, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com for more information on toe deformities. 

Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) – otherwise known as degenerative joint disease – is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by aging joints, injury, and commonly occurs in the weight bearing joints of the hips, knees and spine. However, it can also disturb the fingers, thumb, neck and large toe. If you have joint pain or stiffness that lasts for more than a few weeks, make an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman to discuss your treatment options.  

Symptoms of osteoarthritis vary, depending on which joints are affected. However, the most common symptoms are pain and stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning after resting. OA pain, swelling or stiffness may make it difficult to perform ordinary tasks at work or home. When the lower body joints are affected, activities such as walking, climbing stairs and lifting objects may become difficult. OA symptoms can hinder work, social life and family life if steps are not taken to prevent joint damage, manage pain and increase flexibility.

If you have pain with no benefit from common pain relievers, or sudden loss of mobility, give us a call immediately. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com for more information about osteoarthritis. 

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Your plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue (like a ligament) that stretches from your heel to your middle foot bones. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this band of tissue. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. To arrive at a diagnosis, Dr. Mark Forman will obtain your medical history, examine your foot and discuss treatment options from there.

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot. For example, people who have problems with their arches, either overly flat feet or high-arched feet are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when one’s job requires long hours on the feet.

The classic symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain when you take your first steps after getting out of bed or after sitting for a long period of time. You may also experience pain that gets worse when you climb stairs or stand on your toes, pain after you stand for long periods of time. Resting your foot usually eases the pain.

If you have questions about plantar fasciitis treatment options, give us a call, or visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Bunion Treatment

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. A bunion forms when your big toe pushes against your next toe, forcing the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out. Painful bunions can make it difficult to walk or wear shoes. When this occurs, Dr. Mark Forman always suggests non-surgical treatment first and offers several viable treatment options.

People born with abnormal bones in their feet and women who wear narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes are more likely to develop bunions. While surgery may be needed in severe cases, non-surgical bunion treatment can reduce pain in milder cases. Dr. Mark Forman can identify a bunion by examining your foot. He will begin the examination by watching your big toe as you move it up and down, this will help him determine if your range of motion is limited. He will also check for redness and swelling. After the physical exam, an X-ray of your foot can help Dr. Forman identify the cause of the bunion and rate its severity.

If you suffer from bunions give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com to learn more about bunions.  

What are Heel Spurs?

A heel spur is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone. On an x-ray, a heel spur can extend forward by as much as a half-inch. Without visible x-ray evidence, the condition is sometimes known as “heel spur syndrome.” Although heel spurs are often painless, they can still cause heel pain. Treatments that Dr. Mark Forman may suggest for heel spurs include: exercise, custom-made foot orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications and/or cortisone injections.  

Heel spurs under the sole of the foot (plantar area) are associated with inflammation of the plantar fascia (fasciitis), the “bowstring-like” tissue stretching underneath the sole that attaches at the heel. Heel spurs often cause no symptoms, but they can be associated with intermittent or chronic pain – especially when walking, jogging or running – if inflammation develops at the point of the spur formation. The inflammation usually responds to conservative, nonsurgical treatments. Infrequently, surgical intervention is necessary.

If you have heel and arch pain give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com to learn more about heel spurs. 

Hammertoes

Hammertoe is a contracture (bending) of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth (little) toes. This abnormal bending can put pressure on the toe when wearing shoes, causing problems to develop. When this occurs, the treatment Dr. Mark Forman selects will depend upon the severity of your hammertoe and other factors.

Hammertoes usually start out as mild deformities and get progressively worse over time. In the earlier stages, hammertoes are flexible and the symptoms can often be managed with noninvasive measures. However, if left untreated, hammertoes can become more rigid and will not respond to non-surgical treatment. Although hammertoes are readily apparent, to arrive at a diagnosis Dr. Mark Forman will obtain a thorough history of your symptoms and examine your foot. During the physical examination, Dr. Forman may attempt to reproduce your symptoms by manipulating your foot and will study the contractures of the toes. In addition, he may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformities and assess any changes that may have occurred.

If you have hammertoes that are causing you pain, give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com to learn more about hammertoes. 

Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain

Whether you’ve experienced a sprain or a strain in your foot muscle, Dr. Mark Forman is here to help. The question is, how you do you know the difference and how do you treat them?

A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments – the tough bands of fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Ligaments stabilize and support the body’s joints. For example, ligaments in the knee connect the upper leg with the lower leg, enabling you to walk and run. A sprain is caused by direct or indirect trauma that knocks a joint out of position, overstretches it, or in severe cases, ruptures the supporting ligaments. A strain is an injury of the muscle or tendon. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to bone. Strains often occur in the hamstring muscle in the back of your thigh.

If you recently injured a joint or tendon in your foot or ankle, don’t delay; give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com to learn more about sprains and strains.