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.