Treatment for Haglund's Deformity

Haglund’s deformity is a painful condition that can even affect the health of your Achilles tendon. If you suspect you may have Haglund’s deformity, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman, DPM in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Forman is committed to helping patients relieve their foot pain and get back to a healthy life.

Haglund’s deformity is a bump that forms on the back of the heel. A bony bump is often very painful, inflamed, and it can appear red. It is usually formed from wearing shoes that are too tight and stiff in the heel. High heels are common causes of Haglund’s deformity. When the enlarged heel bone rubs against shoes, the soft tissue at the back of the heel can become irritated, causing bursitis. This is the inflammation of the fluid-filled sac between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone.

There are many conservative approaches to treat Haglund’s deformity before surgery needs to be considered. Depending on your condition, Dr. Forman may utilize treatments like anti-inflammatories and ice, stretching, physical therapy, orthotics, and immobilization. The proper shoes will also need to be worn. For severe cases or cases where conservative methods do not work, surgery may be performed to remove the excess bone tissue.

If you suspect you may be developing Haglund’s deformity, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. To schedule with Dr. Mark Forman, DPM in our Scottsdale, AZ office, call us at (480) 423-8400. More information about Dr. Forman and Haglund’s deformity can be found on our website, www.azfootpain.com. 

Brachymetatarsia: A Shortened Toe

Brachymetatarsia is a condition where one of more of the toes is shorter than the rest. While this can cause some significant problems, there are several treatment options to counter the issue. Dr. Mark Forman of Scottsdale, AZ treats patients with brachymetatarsia here in our office.

Having one or more shortened toes is often a genetic occurrence. It mostly affects the fourth toe, making it shorter and often placed higher up on the foot. While genetics can give people this growth disturbance, it can also be caused by trauma to the toe in childhood. Brachymetatarsia can result in pain, difficulty with balance or stride, difficulty fitting into shoes, and self-esteem issues.

Some cases just need minor adjustments made while others will need more attention like bone grafting. Conservative approaches include wearing the right shoes, wearing foot orthotics, and taking anti-inflammatories. The right shoes will include a roomy toe box, arch support, and other areas of support each individual needs. For more complex cases, surgery may be needed. Surgery options include bone-cut lengthening and bone-graft lengthening.

If you are living with pain or issues with balance because of a shortened toe, be sure to visit us for treatment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman, DPM, contact our Scottsdale, AZ office by calling (480) 423-8400. More information about this condition can be found on our website, www.azfootpain.com. 

Tailor's Bunion

While many of our patients know what a bunion is, there are many who have not yet heard of the tailor’s bunion. This is the same type of deformity but in another location on the foot. Dr. Mark Forman, DPM can help patients with both bunions and tailor’s bunions right here in our Scottsdale, AZ office. Keep reading to learn about the difference.

A regular bunion is a bump formed in the joint at the base of the big toe; a tailor’s bunion, also known as a bunionette, is formed in the joint at the base of the little toe. They earned their name, “tailor’s bunion”, by being a well-known foot problem of tailors, who often sit cross-legged on the ground. These days, the tailor’s bunions are usually caused by not wearing proper shoes, which is usually the same cause of regular bunions. Shoes that do not allow enough room for toes, high-heels, and pointy-toed shoes push in the little toe which can deform the base joint. A predisposition to tailor’s bunions can also be passed down through inheritance.

While the pain in a normal bunion is usually experienced in the bump that forms, with a tailor’s bunion, pain is usually felt inside of the joint. Toe spacers and foot padding worn inside shoes can help relieve pain and move the little toe back to its normal position. Icing the area at the end of the day will also help relieve pain and swelling. In addition, you will want to avoid high heels and shoes that leave too little room for all of the toes.

If you are noticing pain near your little toe’s joint, or especially a bump in the area, scheduling an appointment with us can help slow down or stop the progression of a tailor’s bunion. To schedule with Dr. Mark Forman, DPM of Scottsdale, AZ, call us at (480) 423-8400. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.azfootpain.com.