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.