Foot Troubles - Where to start ?

pdrolo

Many years ago I had knee and back problems - this got sorted by some custom made orthotics - I still get the odd flare up - but overall the back problem is manageable. A couple of winters back - I noticed I was getting numb feet - I put this down to the cold - and didn't really worry to much - but noticed come spring of that yearl I was still getting the numb foot - I didn't pursue it - as for non related reasons I had a spell off the bike.

Anyway - this jan I got back on the bike - and got the usual aches and pains - whilst getting back into the routine - I increased the milegae steadily and began commutting to work on my MTB - Flat pedals no cleats. My riding by about may consisted off

MTB - to work most days (11 mile round trip) Flats & Trainers

Weekend 25-30 miles - SPD - with Spec road shoes - Best Road Bike

I noticed my feet getting hot - I put this down to not using cleats on my commute - my thinking was I was only applying down pressure to the pedals - and I could feel the pedals through my trainers. I switched my commutte to road bike 2 - SPD pedals and MTB Race style shoes - I also brought some gel metarsyl inserts - this has helped but not cured the problem - my feet still ache towards the end of the day - esp if I have been standing or walking alot - I also notice on the odd occasion I drive - I can feel the brake pedal through my shoe.

I also brought some trainer style MTBS - dhbs from wiggle as recommended I went shoes size +1 - this still feels tight with an orthoctic + gel insert

I also switched to SPD-SLS for my specialized shoes for my best road bike - but still get numbness after 25 miles - I don't know if I imagine it - but I seem to be able to feel the SL cleat through the shoe

I went back to my podiatrist - who said my' mets were up' he adjusted the orthotic - so there is a whole where the centre ball of my foot is - this has helped a little - but no cure !

So in summary

3 bikes
3 pairs of shoes
2 cleat systems

I have 2 theories:-

1. I somehow inflamed my feet by riding flats and normal trainers - and this will take some time to settle down.


2. All though I have 3 pairs of shoes - they are all effectively to small - because of the orthotic ?

I have considered buying a SIDI mega wide shoe - but the cost has made me think twice - esp as I rode with the specialized shoe for so long without problems - but could it be that feet get wider with age ? !! - I am 45

I live in the west mids - if anyone knows of any feet men or reputable cycle shops that can help - please let me know - really want to get to the bottom of this !

drewfromrisca

I've just gone to a Podiatrist who thinks I might have a norton's Neuroma. Basically its the enlargement of nerves which pinch causing the pain/numbness.

Dazzza

Sounds to me you need a bit more support in the inner and outer arch areas to reduce your 'hot foot'

Im trying the new specialized bg insoles that allow you to adjust the metatarsal angle, plus the have quite high arches that really reduce the load placed on the centre of your forefoot.

Ive got a fair ride on tomorrow so will let you know how i get on as i suffer in the same area, one minute it's numb then it's hot, not at all comfortable but these insoles really feel like they might do the trick.

How old are your insoles anyway, ever thought of getting re-measured or maybe they've worn down a bit or aren't providing the same support they used to?

pdrolo

would be really interested how you got on Dazzra - I am considered going for a cleat alignment at a specialized store (i live in brum) and my consider those insoles in place of my regular orthotics.

went for a short ride today without my orthotics - still getting the cold toes.

always_tyred

Are you absolutely sure the problem is with your feet? Albeit not to nearly the same extent, I've had numb feet, caused by marginally overheight saddle, itself resulting in slight hip rock to reach the bottom of downstroke, etc., etc.

If I'm honest, I suspect that you have been through all of this already to sort the back/knee problems and you would not, of course, want to do anything to make those flare up again. However, pretty much any change in the position of the bike can transmit through your body to cause symptoms elsewhere, so might be worth a bit of consideration.

wilwil

I was going to post about my foot problem. Which is numbness and tingling in my left toes which goes away immediately I dismount. I wear Specialized shoes. ALWAYS TYRED's comment about saddle height is interesting especially as most people have legs of different length which would explain why it's only the left foot.

Dazzza

pdrolo wrote:

would be really interested how you got on Dazzra - I am considered going for a cleat alignment at a specialized store (i live in brum) and my consider those insoles in place of my regular orthotics.

went for a short ride today without my orthotics - still getting the cold toes.

Well im back, was a long ride as im cream crackered, about 6 hours.

Wow im impressed, i usually get a twinge down my right side on long rides and a bit of a sore back, never been able to fully eliminate it until now, i was able to put the power down for much longer periods and was able to push until i hit fatigue.

I can't wait to slip a pair into my sidi's.

I found they did a much better job of spreading the load, i was even able to pull the top buckle tighter without much discomfort.

I never used the metatarsal angle plates but if i do im thinking of raising the outer of the foot, i never got on with the inside insert.

kingrollo

Well im back, was a long ride as im cream crackered, about 6 hours.

Wow im impressed, i usually get a twinge down my right side on long rides and a bit of a sore back, never been able to fully eliminate it until now, i was able to put the power down for much longer periods and was able to push until i hit fatigue.

I can't wait to slip a pair into my sidi's.

I found they did a much better job of spreading the load, i was even able to pull the top buckle tighter without much discomfort.

I never used the metatarsal angle plates but if i do im thinking of raising the outer of the foot, i never got on with the inside insert.

Did you have these fitted - or just purchase them ?

were you using orthotics before ?

Dazzza

They have a selection at the store, you stand on a plate for a minute which then shows what your gait is, you then buy the soles that are the closest match, ok not true orthotics but they do 95% of the job and you can play with the metatarsal angle to see what works best.

They certainly made a difference to my ride either way, ive used spec bg comp shoes before and never got on this well so they've done something right.

And no ive never used orthotics before, not in cycling anyway, so far it's a resounding thumbs up for me.

felgen

drewfromrisca wrote:

I've just gone to a Podiatrist who thinks I might have a norton's Neuroma. Basically its the enlargement of nerves which pinch causing the pain/numbness.

I have one of these, my shoes flare it up, so I am going with stiffer soles to take the pressure off it hopefully.

drewfromrisca

felgen, let me know how you get on, i'm needing a new pair of shoes anyway so it would be nice to know what the options are out there.
The podiatrist is giving me a bar to put under my toes next week to see how I get on with that. Failing that its a scan to see where the pressure is coming from.