Get Rid of Foot Cramps

Your head hits the pillow; you’re drifting off to dreamland, when suddenly the muscles of your calf or foot suddenly become hard, tight, and extremely painful. This is the result of a muscle cramp, aptly named Charley horses and they are caused by muscle spasms – involuntary contractions of one or more muscles. The cause of these cramps is more important than the discomfort and inconvenience they cause and Dr. Mark Forman would like to explain why they happen.

Understanding what causes foot cramps can help you prevent them from occurring. The body needs an appropriate balance of vitamins and minerals to function properly, so when these cramps occur it’s because your body is lacking something it needs. Foot cramps are commonly caused by imbalances in calcium, vitamin E, potassium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B6, or all of the above. All of the vitamin and minerals play a primary role in your overall health, which is why you should ingest them as much as possible. No matter when muscle cramps occur, there are several things you can do to alleviate the pain, such as massaging the area, stretching, or icing the muscle, or warming the muscle.

To learn about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at our office, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Feet

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that attacks multiple joints throughout the body. However, about 90 percent of people with this condition eventually develop symptoms related to the foot and ankle. Because this disease can lead to long-term joint damage which in turns results in chronic pain, loss of function and disability, Dr. Mark encourages his patients who are suffering from RA to visit the office for podiatry checkups.

The joints of our bodies are covered with a lining –called synovium – that lubricates the joint and makes it easier to move. RA causes an overactive response of this lining. Because of this, it swells and becomes inflamed, destroying the joint, as well as the ligaments and other tissues that support it. Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA and frequent flares in disease activity occur spontaneously. If your feet and ankles have been affected by rheumatoid arthritis, please give us a call today.

To learn about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at our office, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Pediatric Foot Care Tips

We understand that when it comes to taking care of your children, their foot health probably doesn’t spring to mind as a top priority. However, there are several maladies that can affect a youth’s feet and proper steps should be taken to ensure excellent foot health. In addition to providing exercise for your baby’s feet and checking them daily for abnormalities, Dr. Mark Forman suggests utilizing these tips to optimize pediatric foot care.

• Cut toenails straight across – doing so will help prevent painful ingrown toenails. Signs of an ingrown toenail include pain, redness, and swelling.


• Keep feet clean and dry – Preventing bacterial and fungal infections begin with good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your child’s feet at bath time. Afterward, dry the feet well between the toes to prevent athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that thrives in moisture.


• Prevent foot injuries – Walking barefoot outdoors on dirty pavement exposes kids’ feet to splinters, cuts, and severe injuries. If your child receives a cut, scrape, or scratch on the feet, rinse it with soap and water and keep the injury covered with a bandage until it heals.

If you have questions about your child’s foot care, please give us a call. To learn about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at our office, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

Don’t Suffer from Sesamoiditis

In the normal foot, the sesamoids are two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint. Sesamoiditis is a painful foot condition that affects these sesamoid bones and the surrounding tissues. It is a common ailment that affects the forefoot, where pain accumulates in the ball-of-the-foot, especially on the medial or inner side, or in the big toe. If you are experiencing inflammation in either of these areas, Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ can help.

Given the fact that the culprits are two small bones that reside within the ball of the foot, the condition is most common in those who run frequently, dance, squat, or wear high heeled shoes. Sesamoiditis generally comes on slowly, with a slight pain occurring infrequently and then growing both in intensity and frequency as time moves on. If you feel that you are experiencing a dull painful sensation when extending your big toe upward, Dr. Mark Forman can discuss treatment options with you.

If any of the above sounds all too familiar, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at the office, visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.