What is Tendonitis?

Tendons connect muscle to bone and allow them to exert their force across the joints that separate bones. Tendonitis implies that there is inflammation, enlargement, and thickening with swelling of the tendon. The vast majority of tendonitis will heal on its own, but the only way to diagnose the condition is to visit Dr. Mark Forman for a foot exam.

Usually tendonitis is referred to by the body part involved, for example, Achilles tendonitis which affects the Achilles tendon or, or patellar tendonitis which affects the patellar tendon (jumper’s knee). It can also occur in various other parts of the body, including the elbow, wrist, finger, or thigh. Tendonitis can affect people of any age, but is more common among athletes because it is commonly caused by repetition of a particular movement over time. It can also be caused by sudden injury. If Dr. Mark Forman diagnoses you with tendonitis, a treatment plan will be determined by the cause and location of the condition.

If you notice pain, swelling, or have difficulty moving your tendon, please give us a call. To learn more about tendonitis as well as the services we provide here 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.

Foot Infection Facts

Foot infections are painful disorders that can stem from basic foot injuries, and cause swelling, lack of mobility, and other serious consequences if ignored. Although often treated with antibiotics, serious foot infections can require hospitalization when left untreated. Regardless of what type of foot condition you have, Dr. Mark Forman will always discuss non-invasive and conservative treatment first.

Checking your feet daily is crucial in noticing a potential problem as early as possible to help prevent an infection. Pain and swelling that occur without an injury and with redness, red streaking, tenderness, heat, fever, or pus may be caused by an infection. People who have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an impaired immune system are more likely to develop a toe or foot infection. However, any problems that are discovered should be reported to Dr. Mark Forman as soon as possible whether or not you feel they are “serious.”

If you notice symptoms of a foot infection, please give us a call. To learn more about foot infections as well as the services we provide here 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.

How to Give Yourself a Foot Exam

Most of us know that foot exams can be lifesaving for patients with diabetes, but realistically they are important when it comes to diagnosing any serious foot condition. Everyone can develop different types of foot problems, but all can lead to serious complications if left untreated. This is why Dr. Mark Forman recommends foot self-exams at least once a month. Doing this will help you detect irregularities early on. Here are just a few things to look for when self-examining.

• Balance – a good test for balance involves standing on one foot, with your arms out to the side and your eyes close. If you are less than 30 years old, you should be able to balance for 15 seconds, 30 to 40 years old for 12 seconds, 40 to 50 years old for 10 seconds and over 50 years old for seven seconds. This can be improved with exercises.


• Circulation. Look at the color of your toes. Do they look like a normal nail color or are they leaning towards red, white, purple, or blue? Press down on the nail of your big toe until the color blanches. Now let go and allow the blood flow to return to your toe. The return of normal color should take 2 to 5 seconds in a person with average circulation.


• Flexibility. How flexible are your toes? Try to pick up a marble or a small dish towel with your toes. To test your ankle flexibility, hang your heel off of a stair. Now let the heel go below the level of the stair. If this causes pain, stop the test. If your heel goes below the level of the stair without causing strain in your calf, that is a good sign.


• Check your skin for calluses, blisters, or areas of irritation.

 If you wish to receive a foot exam from a professional, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide here 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.

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.