Diabetic Foot Care 101

Diabetes can cause a variety of issues for your feet. In addition to seeing your foot doctor regularly and making sure that your blood levels are under control it is very important that you pay attention to even the smallest signs of a foot issue. This will allow you to stop something minimal like a blister from becoming an infection or worse something bigger.

Follow these tips to fend off serious foot problems.

• Daily inspections- Keep an eye out for swelling, redness, cuts, blisters or nail issues. Remember to examine the bottom of your feet too. You may want to use a magnifying hand mirror to help you see better. Call your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary or concerning
• Proper cleaning- Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water using a soft sponge or washcloth. Dry by patting your feet not rubbing and be sure to dry thoroughly between the toes.
• Moisturize- To prevent itching or cracking moisturize daily. However, refrain from using moisturizer between your toes as you do not want to encourage fungal infection.
• Trimmed Nails- Try to cut your toenails straight across, but not too short, this will help to prevent ingrown nails.
• Appropriate socks- Always wear clean, dry socks. You may want to try socks made specifically for diabetes patients since these have no elastic tops, go above the ankle, have extra cushioning and are made to wick away moisture. If you experience excessive sweating you may want to use an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet.
• Cover your feet- Never walk around barefoot, even at home.
• Warm and Dry- Wear warm socks in the winter and avoid getting your feet wet in the snow or rain. If your feet are cold at night wear socks to bed, but never use a heating pad or hot water bottle.

If You Stand All Day At Work - Here's Some Tips!

Working on your feet all day can cause an array of physical ailments for your feet and legs. Since changing the daily expectations of your job does not seem realistic try these tips to help get your feet through your hectic work week.

• Shoe choice- When choosing your work shoe make sure your heel is elevated by at least ¼ inch and is less than 2 inches. It is also important to choose a shoe with strong arch support which will help to reduce soreness in your legs 
• Shoe fit- If your shoes are not big enough they can cause blisters and poor circulation making standing all day almost unbearable. Remember that your feet naturally swell as the day goes on. Some podiatrists recommend buying your shoes half a size larger to accommodate for arch supports or custom orthotics. 
• Regular stretching- If possible give your legs and feet a stretch every hour or so to reduce stiffness and pain. Try calf raises to help pump blood out of the feet. 
• Home care- When you have a chance to get off your feet and relax go the extra step and provide your feet some comfort through icing, elevation, or massage. Immersing your foot in water with ice for 20 minutes will address swelling and inflammation. Propping your feet above the rest of your body will also help reduce the days swelling. An at home foot massage can be as easy rolling your foot from heel to toe over a tennis ball.

Benefits of Foot Massage

A foot rub does not only feel good but can also promote many positive benefits  for your health. Massaging the foot helps to stimulate the muscles around your feet. This will help to lessen stiffness and can reduce pain in the heel, ankle, arch, and pad of your foot. This, in turn, results in stronger more flexible ankles making you less likely to injure your ankle or foot. The kneading of these muscles and tendons helps to create energy for your body by releasing blockages which hold back energy thus helps relieving symptoms of stress and fatigue. A calming foot massage right before bed can help your body to unwind and relax your nerves while encouraging restful sleep.

Improper footwear and sedentary lifestyles are a large factor in why most of us do not use the muscles in our feet correctly. A corrective measure would be to engage in at least 10 minutes of daily  foot massage. The stimulation created by the rubbing will help to transport oxygen to the body’s cells,  this helps to improve your blood circulation which is essential for overall health. The invigoration of the feet created by massage will also help to prevent varicose veins by awakening the lymphatic system. It has also been found that massaging your feet can bring relief from pain and inflammation that is caused by foot tendonitis, as well as addressing the symptoms of heel spurs. A warm olive oil or coconut oil would also assist in this process along with a foot roller. Be sure to roll it back and forth on the top of your feet as well as on the soles.

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.