Would a bike fit help with Plantar Fasciitis ?

Tjgoodhew

I have been struggling with this on and off for about six months and other than relieving the pain with stretching and rolling a can under my foot i cant seem to find a solution to cure the problem. Its only ever on my right foot and have zero pain when riding which i think is due to my shoes having pretty good arch support but as soon as i get off the bike the pain is crippling.

Im starting to think it could be to do with my position on the bike and that my current position is putting too much strain on my right lower leg. Maybe my saddle is too high causing my calf muscle to stretch too much. However it feels fine as it is and lowering the saddle doesnt feel right and if this was the case why is it only my right foot ?

I am tempted with the idea of a bike fit but would this potentially make any difference at all bearing in mind i feel totally comfortable in all other aspects of my position ?

napoleond

I think going to see your GP to get referred to a podiatrist is your best option!

Dazza @>@'

Is the pain in your arch, heel or the knuckles and joints near toes? Have you tried lossening your shoes maybe they're too tight, I have managed my PF and flat feet for years but have to wear my orthotic insoles in the shoes (i am a uk 7 and wear uk 8).

navrig2

I had a spell of this after training for a half marathon and then running barefoot on the beach.

I went to a physio who suggested the roller and sold me a set of orthotic inserts for my shoes (walking and running). She also suggested that when I needed to replace the running shoes I should get assessed for my running style. This allowed me to stop using the insert in my running shoes.

I still have the inserts for all my walking shoes, I even used them when skiing but I have never felt the need to use them when cycling because typically my foot suffers no impact and doesn't move (much) within the shoe when cycling. I could easily swap the insole on my cycling shoes for the insert however.

I'd go and see a physio or podiatrist and get a professional recomendation.

dave in swansea

Suffered badly with PF several years ago.
Shoe shop recommended supafeet green insoles which helped.
Hospital consultant (gp referred) prescribed Aetrex Walker / Runner. These offer a lot of cushioning as well as supporting the instead.
I still use these in all my shoes and have no issues. I have no doubt that the pain would return if I wore shoes with the standard footbed.
PF is caused by the tendons detatching themselves from your heel when the arch of your foot collapses under impact. If cycling , no impact, is pain free then your cycle shoes probably support your foot enough.

My question, can anyone recommend an alternative to the aetrex walker runner, as they have been discontinued?

chippyk

I got PF pretty bad a couple of years ago, probably from runnign in my racing flats too much. A couple of steroid injections into my heel, the first was the most painful thing I have ever had done, some custom orthotics and a reminder that I need to stretch lots more than I did in my 20s and early 30s has fixed it. Not sure a bike fit will help to be honest.

DeVlaeminck

My other half had it for quite a while - she fixed hers by taping her foot every day - forget the exact technique but you can probably find it on youtube - from memory it was normal zinc oxide tape not fancy kinesiology stuff.

trekvet

I use Othaheel inserts, the full length ones, in all footwear - slippers to wellies - http://www.simplyfeet.co.uk/footcare-products/orthotics.html?khaos_brand=4128. I walked to recovery, but only within the limit of pain - too far and I was back to square one. No car driving, no climbing ladders, no spade work, etc. I was advised against steroid injections as these are rarely done correctly and then can lead to problems, for which there is no turning back. Your feet have to see you out.

navrig2

dave in swansea wrote:

My question, can anyone recommend an alternative to the aetrex walker runner, as they have been discontinued?

I use Aetrex L420 Men's Lynco. http://www.p2d.co.uk/

When the physio "sorted" my PF she gave me two orthotics to try in the surgery and let me chose the most comfortable. Presumably she took the two most appropriate from a bigger selection she held. So you may be as well to investigate with the manufcturer for one which most closely resembles your original orthotic.

Scotteesh

Superfeet combined with a bike fit sorted it for me!