Bone Spurs and Your Feet

Bone spurs, also known as osteophyte, can be a fairly common foot ailment, especially as you grow older.

Quite often when people have a bone spur they will not even know it simply because often they do not cause any symptoms. However, if a bone spur is putting pressure on other bones or tissues that material can break down over time. This ailment can then cause swelling, pain, or tearing.

When bone spurs occur in the feet they can also cause corns and calluses because tissue builds up to create padding over the bone spur. They can also occur in the feet as a response to tight ligaments. Common activities such as dancing or running can induce the tightening of these connective tissues. Other common causes of bone spurs in feet are being overweight, wearing poorly fitting shoes, or wearing high heels often.

If a bone spur is not causing any pain or discomfort, it does not necessarily need to be treated. Proper care of this ailment will require the specific patients cause or causes of the symptoms. Weight loss will help to relieve pressure within the joints and allow for more effective stretching of the affected area, possibly the heel cord or the bottom of the foot. Your podiatrist, Dr. Forman, may also recommend deep tissue massage, rest, ice, or an over the counter anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen. Adding padding to a shoe or finding a more suitable type of footwear may also help relieve discomfort.

If the problem persists your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid injection. This will reduce pain and inflammation in the tissue that is near the affected area. Contact us today if you have questions, or to schedule a consultation!

Running Through Pain? Stop!

Anyone who has ever taken their running routine seriously has experienced pain or soreness. For athletes the question becomes when the pain overall muscle soreness and when is it something more that needs to be addressed?

Obviously, if you are experiencing swelling, severe pain, numbness, tingling, in ability to move a limb or the feeling that that it is giving way you should seek medical attention. Avoid training of any sort until you are able to seek proper medical care and have your symptoms addressed properly.

Sometimes mild pain will occur at the start of your exercise. Often, this irritation will recede or go away as you start to warm up and continue to run. It may be inconsistent as far as its location or become bilateral. This discomfort is ok to run though. Perform R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment to areas that are you giving you concern after your run.

If the pain occurs at the start of your exercise but stays with you through the course of your training it is considered in the moderate level. As long you are able to tolerate the hurt (no limping or altering of your running stride) you can continue with the day's exercises. Follow up by allowing your body to heal with a couple days off and the application of R.I.C.E. treatments.

However, if you are experiencing these aches before, during, and after your exercises this is considered severe in nature. This pain usually persists, or increases throughout the duration of activity and may also produce a limp. Never continue to run through this suffering. Call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark Forman and put an end to pain!

Treatment for Hallux Rigidus

Arthritis in the foot can lead to pain and it can majorly slow you down. The most common arthritic condition for the foot is called hallux rigidus. Dr. Mark Forman, DPM is able to diagnose and treat patients with hallux rigidus here in our Scottsdale, AZ office.

Hallux rigidus is arthritis located in the big toe joint. It can cause pain and stiffness in addition to swelling. Some patients may even develop a bump on top of the joint. The condition is aggravated by walking and otherwise being active. Rubbing against the inside of a shoe can also cause more agitation.

Causes of hallux rigidus are usually related to the anatomy of the foot. Improper alignment, an unusually long metatarsal, or an elevated metatarsal can lead to wear-down of the joint. Injury or genetics are also able to cause this condition.

Dr. Forman is able to identify this condition and find the appropriate treatment for you. Depending on the severity of the case and each individual’s foot, common treatments include physical therapy, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery is also an option when conservative approaches do not resolve the pain and stiffness.

If you experience pain and stiffness to your big toe joint that affects your everyday life, you may want to be evaluated for hallux rigidus. Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman, DPM in our Scottsdale, AZ office. Call us at (480) 423-8400 or visit our website, www.azfootpain.com. 

Orthotics

The support of your entire body’s frame starts at your feet. While some shoes offer nice support, others don’t or sometimes a patient just needs a little extra support. This is where orthotics come in. Dr. Mark Forman, DPM

Orthotics are insoles that can be placed inside of most types of shoes. They offer specific types of support for different feet types. Whether you have heel pain, flat feet, bunions, or another type of foot condition, an orthotic is likely able to help you. They can often fit inside of gym shoes, dress shoes, work shoes, boots, and more.

Orthotics take pressure off of areas of concern and offer support to the areas of your foot that need it. Orthotics can greatly relieve pain and help patients walk easier.

Getting the right support for your feet is an investment in your entire framework. Pain or a poor gait travels from your feet, to your ankles, to your knees, to your hips, back, and neck. A poor foundation can affect the rest of your entire body.

Orthotics can make sure that your foot is getting the special attention it needs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman, DPM in Scottsdale, AZ, call our office at (480) 423-8400. We may also be reached through our website, www.azfootpain.com. 

Foot Strengthening Exercises

When you go to the gym, you don’t lift with your feet, so how are you supposed to strengthen them? You may not think so, but your feet need exercise to stay in great shape. Just like any other structure in the body, dysfunction in our feet can lead to serious issues, including knee pain or lower back aches. This is why Dr. Mark Forman wants patients to know why it is important to properly strengthen and stretch them.  

You use your feet to stand, walk, run, and balance. When your feet are weak, your foundation becomes deficient and the rest of your body must compensate for what your feet aren’t doing. The stronger your feet are the stronger your foundation is and not to mention, strengthening your feet will help alleviate and prevent pain throughout the rest of your body.

Two simple foot strengthening exercises include:

• Toe Grip – this exercise strengthens foot muscles to improve balance. Drop a sock on the floor and use your toes to grip and lift it off the floor. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat five times with each foot.


• Calf Raise – helps strengthen the feet, calves, and helps improve balance. Stand near a counter or doorway and hold on lightly for balance. Balance on one foot and rise up onto your toes. Hold for 10 seconds, and then lower. Repeat 10 times on each foot.

If you have questions about the health of your feet, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.

How to Choose the Right Shoe For You

When shopping for a new pair of shoes, your main concern should be about comfort rather than style. Finding the right pair of shoes may seem like an easy task, but because there are so many shoes for different activities, it’s important that you take the right steps to select the pair that meets your particular needs. Next time you go shopping in the shoe section, you’ll want to consider function and your overall foot health and until then Dr. Mark Forman can suggest some tips on how to choose the right ones.  

First, you’ll need to know the correct size of your foot. It helps to trace your foot on a piece of paper. If the shoe is narrower or shorter than the tracing, don’t even bother to try it on. Second, wear the same type of socks to the store that you intend to wear with the shoes. Trust your own comfort level rather than a shoe’s size or description. Don’t rationalize that you’ll need to “break in” the shoes and find a pair that fits from the start. The best shoes support your foot, front, and back. Look for shoes that are stiff in the middle, but bend at the ball of the foot.  Following these tips will keep your feet pain-free during your daily activities.

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

Tight Shoes and Foot Problems

Under certain circumstances, most pain is preventable, especially when it comes to your feet. As online shopping grows in popularity, the temptation rises to purchase shoes that may look fashionable but are likely to cause you pain. Heels are getting higher, and flats provide zero arch support, and though this may be a small price to pay to look good, Dr. Mark Forman of Scottsdale, AZ wants you to know that you are putting yourself at a higher risk for corns, bunions, and other deformities that may require surgery to correct.

Shoes can make the difference between good health and potential foot, leg, low back, or general health problems. This is because if your shoes are too tight they decrease circulation in your feet. Shoe choice is especially important for people with diabetes or circulatory problems, therefore it’s important to avoid flip-flops, stilettos, and flats. When trying on a new shoe, be sure that your toes do not feel pinched or cramped, and that none of your shoes are on top of one another. Otherwise, you may be visiting our office for relief from bunions, hammertoes, or ingrown toenails.

If you are experiencing foot pain of any kind, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide visit www.azfootpain.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ, call 480-423-8400.