Something weird is happening with my foot

[slinkedog]

Okay... looking for anyone who has had a similar occurence, here or knows what's going on. I rode my longest distance ever on Saturday (65 miles) and toward the end of the ride (last 20 miles or so) I noticed that the top of my left foot felt bruised. The spot is right in between the bones leading to my big toe and the one right next to it. Ever since the ride, that whole area, plus my big toe and the next one, are numb. All of my toes on both feet were getting numb during the ride (it wasn't cold), too. Any ideas?

[Susie]

It's hard to say exactly what's causing your problems, but I get similar feelings when my shoes are too snug. My feet tend to swell when I ride, so I have to loosen the straps across the top during long rides to prevent my feet from numbing. But for me, when I go numb, it usually goes away within half an hour after I get out of the shoes.

Susie

[bcipam]

I've suffered from that condition for years. It can be caused by a neroma. A bundle of nerves that accumulates at the base the big toe. It's usually caused by repetitive injury (like long distance cycling and cleat pressure). It can be alleviated during the ride by unclipping from the pedal and moving your toes. But the only way to get rid of one once its starts is surgery so I just suffer with the pain.

Of course you need to rule out all that other stuff - like an ill placed cleat, tight shoes, prior injury, even over grown toe nails. All can contribute to foot pain.

[Dianyla]

Yep, I was thinking of a Morton's neuroma as well - swollen bundle of nerves. It's more common to get them in the metatarsal area between toes 3 & 4, but you can get them anywhere in your foot. Painful buggers. I've heard some folks have had good luck with cortisone shots if they don't want to resort to surgical excision.

I have had some very mild neuromas in my feet for years, as long as I wear wide enough footwear they don't get aggravated and I can manage the situation just fine.

[slinkedog]

Thanks, Ladies! Will it go away on it's own... I mean, will the swelling subside or is it going to stay that way unless it is treated?

[Dianyla]

Thanks, Ladies! Will it go away on it's own... I mean, will the swelling subside or is it going to stay that way unless it is treated?

If it's a neuroma I think the condition never permanently subsides by itself - but like I said it can be managed carefully. If it's just some generalized edema that's causing peripheral nerve issues, and that swelling goes down it might go away all by itself.

[bcipam]

Slinke - I've had this thing for about 3 years. It's just there. At times, it doesn't bother me at all. I can usually tell when I hit about 35 miles into a ride without looking at my computer as that's when the foot will most likely begin to hurt. As soon as it starts I know to start moving my toes around and unclipping when possible. My neroma is also on my clipped in foot. In other words I always unclip with my right leaving the left attached. It's the left foot that hurts so after 35 miles I start unclipping with left and leaving the right clipped in. It's sometimes awkward but helps alot. And worse comes to worse, I stop, take off the shoe, massage the foot, and am good and able to ride for at least another 10 miles without problems. If doing a century I pretty much have pain no matter what for the last 20 miles or so. Just learned to live with it. Usually its the least of my problems on a century (between butt, shoulders, legs, etc). Also I got some relief changing out my pedal. I went from a Speedplay (which put alot of presure at the base of my toes) to the Dura Ace pedal with spreads the pressure out over the ball of my foot. Problem is the injury is now there so I will always have problems. I also know some shoes cause me more grief than others. I usually rode in Sidi's. I tried the Specialized shoe which is very stiff and the pain came on very swift and very bad. I'm now back in Sidi's. I also don't have much problem with riding my mountain bike. Maybe its because I don't do the same distance but I also think its because I ride with a wide platform pedal (Time Ztac Control). Catch the problem early and hopefully the injury won't become permanent!

[ChainsOflove]

I was having the numbness problem and it turned out my seat was too low, that's all!