Painful Feet

jimbobutch

Just after some advice. I have been riding on a regular basis for several years not and to some distance. Compete in sportives every season, done JOG to LE etc. etc. this season however has thrown up a new challenge. I have been struggling with painful feet. At about 30 miles my left foot goes numb then about 30 miles later becomes very painful. Get off the bike and walk around it dies down. In gradually the distance I ride before the onset of these symptoms in decreasing. Every time I ride this seams to happen earlier and earlier in the ride

Anyone else suffered with this, any advice or potential cures that might be know. Had to pull out of the London 100 this year because of it. GP Just says rest. Any advice would be well received.

sloppyschleckonds

Listen to a medical professional.

Herbsman

Have you had new shoes recently?

It may be that you don't have the correct arch support... Look at getting custom moulded insoles (e.g. Sidas) or some suitable off-the shelf ones (e.g. Specialized BG if they still make them)

ut_och_cykla

Foot problems could be back problems but likeliest is foot/shoe/pedal combo is faulty - too tight shoes (heat makes feet bigger so what is ok in winter is too small in summer) , wrong position of cleat (was right - has moved?) Compare left & right shoes/cleats/wear etc.
Another possibility is that you are trapping a nerve/blood vessel in your groin or overstretching your knee joint causing similar problems? Just some ideas.
A physio might help you or a good bike shop with bike fit skills.
WOrk through teh obvious things first (cleats position etc) - make small alterations if necessary - don't change everything at once! Hope you get it sorted.

punker

Hi my wife has a similar problem. After about 30 to 40 mins she gets really soar pad just behind her 2nd and 3rd toes on the sole of one foot . it gets so bad she can't push down on that side. we're not sure if she has something embedded in there and prolonged pressure causes it to catch a nerve? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as its putting her of cycling. Thanks ben

marcusjb

What shoes are you using? Any special in-soles?

What pedal system are you using?

punker

Hi marcusjb

if you are asking me then my wife has look keo easy pedals and dhb ladies road shoes. no special in-soles.

ut_och_cykla

punker wrote:

Hi my wife has a similar problem. After about 30 to 40 mins she gets really soar pad just behind her 2nd and 3rd toes on the sole of one foot . it gets so bad she can't push down on that side. we're not sure if she has something embedded in there and prolonged pressure causes it to catch a nerve? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as its putting her of cycling. Thanks ben

What you describe might be an unusual trapped nerve in the foot problem. Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morton's_neuroma but there are other causes of toe pain. There is treatment too and quick read suggests that too tight shoes might contribute to the pain...A good physio can probably help.

ju5t1n

I had the same problems until I discovered Specialized Body Geometry footbeds by chance. I was browsing in Condor’s downstairs bike showroom and noticed an interesting foot measuring device, so I asked the shop assistant about it.

He explained that it was to measure your 'arch' and find the best fit for Spesh BG footbeds. I had a try and it turns out I needed a low arch support in size 45. The insoles were only £20 – so not much to lose if it didn’t work.

But what a difference! … no numbness, no hot-foot, no toe cramps, not even on 100 mile rides. Highly recommended. …but do find a shop where they have the arch support measuring thing. I’ve since seen these in Evans and other shops, so pretty common I think.

ju5t1n

This is the product.. http://www.specialized.co.uk/is/en/ftr/ ... erformance

jimbobutch

Thank you all for the responses. I did change my shoes at the beginning of the season. Northwave fighters. I don't feel that they are too tight however I do have a relatively high arched foot. I will be giving the insoles a go that is for sure.

For the Specs ones do you have to be measured in a shop? If so any ideas on where might be good near Cambridge?

cyco2

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Listen to a medical professional.

This may be the case if you had gone to the correct medical professional in the first place. Going to a GP with this kind of complaint they would find it very easy to diagnose. Even I could take a stab at it...if it hurts when you ride then don't ride !!. Or for a medical professionals advice...rest.
If you have a complaint of this nature it may be better when seeing the GP to ask which medical professional would be best qualified to diagnose this problem. But be prepared to pay at the next step for expediancy because unless your job is riding a bike you'll get a very,very slow response... if ever.

Herbsman

jimbobutch wrote:

Thank you all for the responses. I did change my shoes at the beginning of the season. Northwave fighters. I don't feel that they are too tight however I do have a relatively high arched foot. I will be giving the insoles a go that is for sure.

For the Specs ones do you have to be measured in a shop? If so any ideas on where might be good near Cambridge?

You don't have to be, but it would probably help. However if you already know you have high arches then you'll probably be OK with the high arch version if you can't get measured just try them out for feel before buying.