foot pain

[KKern]

I have been riding for about 6 months now and have been having pain in my feet. The pain seems to be my tendons in the top of my foot by my metatarsals. I have seen my podiatrist and she says that it is from a new foot position on my bike. That the tendons are swelling and there is no where for them to swell, so the pain is intensified.
My question is: Has anyone else had this problem?
Would the pain be less if I switched to clipless pedals? (I am currently using regular pedals.)

[KnottedYet]

Try loosening your laces a mile or two before your feet would normally start to hurt. Feet often swell, and if you can loosen the shoes after they start to swell but before the pressure begins to cause irritation, you may be able to head it off.

Loosening at the very start of a ride might annoy you and drive you crazy as your feet would slip around in the shoes at the start, but you could also try that.

Clipless won't change your physiology. If you're someone whose feet get nice and juicy when you ride, they will still get nice and juicy regardless of the pedal type.

You could always ask your podiatrist for shoe recommendations for the bike. I'm quite fond of riding in sandals due to my feet's personalities. (Chacos and Keens) She would know where she's seeing tendon issues in you and what kinds of shoes might help minimize the effects.

[sundial]

Hi Knot. Just wanted to say it's nice to read the joy in your statements again. You found your happy place.

[cobalt]

I came here looking for answers to the same problem.

I did my first tri yesterday and it made the tendon pain much worse. I have an ankle support on and it helps a lot. An ace bandage would help you if you don't have an ankle brace.

For me it's and "oh sh$%" kind of pain that shoots up my ankle. If I were to step on crooked ground or step down a curb right now I'd have to grit my teeth.

I am going to wear my crocs to work tomorrow, they sometimes help my feet.

Does any of this sound like what you are experiencing??

Hope you feel better!

[KKern]

"For me it's and "oh sh$%" kind of pain that shoots up my ankle. If I were to step on crooked ground or step down a curb right now I'd have to grit my teeth.


Does any of this sound like what you are experiencing?? "



Oh yes, the pain is very much like "oh sh$%" I currently have supportive orthotics, but they do not seem to do much.
I can barely walk barefoot at the end of the day.
I have a recheck with my podiatrist in a week. I will ask more questions then.

[cobalt]

Will you report back please?

You'll have to tell the MD about the "oh sh#$" thing.

btw, walking in the triathlon made it much worse, I ran the last bit, peer pressure so no walks if you can help it.

[lo123]

I had similar pain when I was spinning. I bought cycling shoes, and it helped some. The biggest help for me was in adjusting the laces/velcro on the shoes (tennis or cycling). My feet tend to swell a LOT due to an autoimmune disease.

In my cycling shoes, I'll velcro the top strap tightly to keep the shoe from slipping, then wiggle my toes in the shoe with the other straps undone. After I wiggle my toes, I velcro the remaining 2 straps without tightening them at all.

In tennis shoes, this is a little more tricky. You may want to look into alternative ways to lace your shoes to keep pressure off the top of the foot.

One suggestion: try leaving a space in the lacing to alleviate pressure. Simply skip the eyelets near the point of pain.

[KKern]

Thanks for all the advice. My DH found this link. The website is really cool to play with and it all seems to make sense. The part I am most interested in is the footwear link.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/micros.../main.html?x=y

I will ask my Dr about this too and let you know.
Kiersten

[KKern]

Went to the podiatrist today, turns out she also rides!!!!
She said that the shoes with the metatarsal ball would be really good for me, and to also be sure the shoes are wide enough for my feet. I am going for a fitting in the next couple weeks.
If the new shoes and pedals do not work, then my Dr. will order me new orthotics for bike shoes.