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.

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is not an injury; it’s actually a symptom or group of symptoms. These may include pain in the ball of the foot, with or without bruising, and inflammation. There are no one specific causes of metatarsalgia, but a lot of physically active people suffer from this condition as it can be caused by a high impact of the foot which is a product of running, jumping, etc. Sometimes, the condition can also be caused by badly-fitting footwear or even an underlying medical condition. If you are experiencing pain or inflammation in the ball of your foot, please give Dr. Mark Forman a call to discuss your treatment options.

Metatarsalgia develops when something changes or threatens the normal mechanics of the foot. Ultimately, this creates excessive pressure on the ball of the foot, and that leads to the condition. Symptoms of metatarsalgia may include sharp, aching or burning pain in the ball of your foot – the part of the sole just behind your toes, sharp or shooting pain, numbness, or tingling in your toes, and/or pain that worsens when you stand, run, flex your feet or walk – especially on a hard surface. Some of the best treatments of metatarsalgia come from being proactive. Keep body weight at a healthy level, and stick to shoes that fit properly.

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.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The world is full of allergens, some which may pose no risk to you and others that might make you feel miserable. While many people are born with sensitivity to certain foods or substances, others may develop allergies later in life. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by your body’s reaction to something that directly contacts the skin. For example, if you go hiking in the woods and notice red, itchy bumps around your ankles, you may have come in contact with a potential allergen or irritant. If washing the affected area with soap and water doesn’t work, Dr. Mark Forman may need to discuss more effective treatment options with you.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis can range from mild to severe, and they can appear anywhere from a few hours to 10 days after coming into contact with the irritant or allergen. Symptoms include red, irritated skin, itching, swelling, bumps or blisters with clear fluid, and hot or tender skin. Common causes of allergic contact dermatitis of the foot are poison ivy, oak or sumac, as well as particular dyes and chemicals that may be found in footwear or soap.

If you are experiencing what you may believe to be allergic contact dermatitis, 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.

Pediatric Foot Care Tips

When treating pediatric foot problems, it’s important for parents to remember that the needs of children’s feet are different from those of adults. Because children’s feet are actively growing and developing, parents should be careful not to over-correct abnormalities in a child’s walking gait (stride, pace) without first consulting Dr. Mark Forman. To assist you with providing optimal foot health for your child, Dr. Forman suggests utilizing these tips.

• 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 them 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 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.