Finally heel pain explained!

[Wahine]

Unfortunately, I have an unusually high arch, which he said is really adding to my problem. He did NOT like my biking shoes I just bought, he did NOT like my running shoes, Oh me, am I doomed to wear the dreaded Birkenstocks? (sp)

Jenn

Jenn - an unusually high arch also typically means a relatively stiff arch. This allows for less shock absorption. This in turn can lead to the spur. Your focus should be on stretching (I know you already said you're doing this but I felt I needed to say it again because it's *that* improtant) and getting shoes with very good cushioning. This is especially true of walking and running shoes. Cycling shoes aren't designed to reduce shock. You may want to try to put a gel insert in them and try to increase your cadence. Faster cadence = decreased force per pedal stroke.

[Jenn]

You know, he put a small pad under my arch and taped my foot that day and it felt soooo good. I wore a bag on my foot in the shower for 2 days just to keep it on Does anyone know if wrapping it with an ace bandage or soemthing like that would help? I also NEVER walk around barefoot anymore, which kills me but oh well...

[KnottedYet]

You know, he put a small pad under my arch and taped my foot that day and it felt soooo good. I wore a bag on my foot in the shower for 2 days just to keep it on Does anyone know if wrapping it with an ace bandage or soemthing like that would help? I also NEVER walk around barefoot anymore, which kills me but oh well...

Sounds like orthotics with a good arch support (which the pad and "low dye" tape pattern mimic) might be a large part of your answer!

No, an ace bandage won't do it. Ask him to show you the tape pattern, tell him how much you loved it, look into custom orthotics. (plain ol' off the shelf insoles like Superfeet might not be the answer in this case)

[Bklynmom]

My heel pain turned out to be heel spurs and Plantar Fastitus (sp?). I found custom orthotics to be a big help as well as stretching and advil. The orthopedist did offer a cortizone shot in my heel (yuck!) which I will resort to if I have to before my first century ride. I would be interested to hear if your othopedist recommends orthotics in the bike shoes - mine did and it seems to work.

[Jenn]

My heel pain turned out to be heel spurs and Plantar Fastitus (sp?). I found custom orthotics to be a big help as well as stretching and advil. The orthopedist did offer a cortizone shot in my heel (yuck!) which I will resort to if I have to before my first century ride. I would be interested to hear if your othopedist recommends orthotics in the bike shoes - mine did and it seems to work.

I need to take my shoes into him He asked me to and I just haven't had a chance. The pain is starting to come back especially after my long ride last weekend. When we get back from vacation I'm taking them to him. Did he give you the orthotic or is it just something you got over the counter?

[Bklynmom]

I got custom Orthotics from the orthopedist, (expensive -- $400 - but covered by insurance) which I put in my regular shoes and the bike shoes. They helped by about 50%.

I found no heel pain after a 30 mile ride Saturday, but some from a much shorter ride Tuesday. Who knows? Walking on concrete sidewalks, which I do a lot here in Brooklyn, seems to aggrivate the heel the most. Stretching does seem to really help, so I do extra after a ride.