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foot pain

 
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:47 am GMT +0000    Post subject: foot pain Reply with quote

I get pain in my feet on extended rides. The pain is isolated to a small area under the ball of my foot between the 3rd and 4th metatarsi. It is a sharp pain that is uncomfortable at first and grows in severity until I can no longer pedal. It is in both feet although it is usually more severe in the left foot. It is accompanied by numbness in the forefoot. It normally takes a couple of hours of pedalling before the pain begins. I notice lower back stiffness in conjunction with the pain in my feet. Dismounting from the bike relieves the pain but once I'm back on the bike it returns much more quickly. My layman's opinion is that it is a back problem causing my foot pain. Are you familiar with this type of problem? I saw my GP regarding this problem. I could tell he had no idea what the problem was. He did not refer me to a back or foot specialist and prescribed 400 mg of ibuprofen and sent me on my way with a smile and firm handshake. What a joke.
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:30 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Foot Pain.... Reply with quote

Not knowing your medical history, and the type of bike you ride, I'll give you mine. Might help.
I have a full-suspension MTB. I used to have foot pain in the general area and numbess on my big toes. (I have fallen arches and tend to pronate.) I was experiencing foot pain and knee discomort. Sad
My remedy:
1) Change the brand of shoe (Shimano) to one that had a wider toe box. For me Specialized worked.
2) I had a pair of orthotic inserts made. Initially, the inserts were uncomfortable, but over a couple weeks of break-in time, I was able to wear them all the time. The pain went away and the numbness eventually went away as well.
Another consideration is the type of clipless pedal you are using. A pedal that would cover a greater surface area could help.


Hope this helps.
Smile
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:30 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

I get the same pain in my feet with my ski boots. They have custom-molded lasts and custom orthotic insoles. Not sure changing shoes will help. Just thought their might be others with my same dilemma.
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:40 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anonymous wrote:
I get the same pain in my feet with my ski boots. They have custom-molded lasts and custom orthotic insoles. Not sure changing shoes will help. Just thought their might be others with my same dilemma.

Sorry, I wasn't logged in. This is my reply.
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The Bike Doc
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Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 1398
Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 5:00 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

S Racer:

Your pain in your feet being isolated to the area just under the 3rd and 4th metatarsals and not radiating into the toes or back around the ankles is most consistent with a local pressure irritation as the source of the pain. Am I correct in assuming you use clipless pedals as the pain is very consistent with pressure from clipless pedal pressure? If this is the case, you should look at two options. Do see a podiatrist to see if you need custom orthotics to alleviate problems in your feet that make you prone to this kind of a problem. The orthotics need to extend at least 3/4 of the way down your foot to give you support for pedalling. With the orthotics on hand (or on foot) do get a good pair of firm soled (ideally carbon fiber soled) bike shoes. You will need the orthotics at the time you buy the shoes to make sure the shoes fit comfortably with the orthotics placed in them.

I suspect the back pain is more coincidentally associated with the long ride and likely a seat that is too far back or a stem that is too long making you overstretch your lower back muscles. You may need a bike with a shorter top tube.

Pain in the feet that arrises from problems in the back, typically runs down the back of the leg to the feet into the toes due to from compression of the nerves in the lower lumbar and/or sacral areas.

I hope this information helps.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc
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Murkona
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Joined: 31 Jan 2005
Posts: 216
Location: Austin

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 5:14 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have had the same thing happen to my feet, particularly my right foot, which is my stronger leg. I changed my shoes and put in an orthotic. The pain subsided and disappeared. Haven't had the problem since. I spent a lot of time researching shoes and finally found the one that works for me.

I didn't need a prescribed orthotic, but know a few people who have. I think it depends on the severity.
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Anonymous
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 10:24 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mad props to CR66. You were dead-on. Local podiatric surgeon confirmed Morton's Neuroma. Conservative approach first - steriod injections and custom orthotic footbeds. Keep your fingers crossed that I won't need the knife- and thanks again.
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:31 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hope the injection will help; no luck with it when I tried it.... Crying or Very sad
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CR66
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:32 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anonymous wrote:
Hope the injection will help; no luck with it when I tried it.... Crying or Very sad

That was me....forgot to log in
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