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!

Why Flip Flops Are Bad For Your Feet

Flip-flops: a longtime staple of warm weather. While they are easy to slip on and fun to wear, they are actually pretty bad for your feet. If you are a frequent flip-flop fan, keep reading. Dr. Mark Forman of Scottsdale, AZ wants his patients to know that flip-flops can be bad news for your feet- and more.

Flip-flops are probably the least supportive shoes out there. Walking in a thin, flat shoe all day can lead to overuse of the toes, tiny stress fractures, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Because the shoe gives so little support, the toes have to grip the flip-flop to stay in the shoe. Overuse can lead to tendonitis in the toes and the Achilles' tendon. Overuse and also lack of support can cause plantar fasciitis and over-pronation, which means the arch flattens out. Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis can lead to heel pain. The feet can also become blistered and callused because of the rubbing flip-flops do between the first two toes and on the ball of the foot. Pain and irritation in the feet can lead to walking differently, which can lead that pain up your legs to your hips and back.

If you do want to wear flip-flops, make sure they have arch support and a thicker, more supportive toe strap. Also, refrain from wearing them all the time. Stick to only wearing them occasionally and for short amounts of time.

Next time you head out, remember that flip-flops are not the wise choice for healthy feet. If you are experiencing foot pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in our Scottsdale, AZ podiatry office. To schedule, call us at (480) 423-8400. For more information about us, visit our website, www.azfootpain.com.