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.

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. 

Bunion Treatment

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. A bunion forms when your big toe pushes against your next toe, forcing the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out. Painful bunions can make it difficult to walk or wear shoes. When this occurs, Dr. Mark Forman always suggests non-surgical treatment first and offers several viable treatment options.

People born with abnormal bones in their feet and women who wear narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes are more likely to develop bunions. While surgery may be needed in severe cases, non-surgical bunion treatment can reduce pain in milder cases. Dr. Mark Forman can identify a bunion by examining your foot. He will begin the examination by watching your big toe as you move it up and down, this will help him determine if your range of motion is limited. He will also check for redness and swelling. After the physical exam, an X-ray of your foot can help Dr. Forman identify the cause of the bunion and rate its severity.

If you suffer from bunions give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman in Scottsdale, AZ call 480-423-8400 or visit www.azfootpain.com to learn more about bunions.