Pain and numbness in right foot

[Orange utopia]

I have my first metric century on Saturday. It is going to be the longest distance I have ridden since 1999. I am very excited and I am pretty sure I am ready. My only concern is that in the past month or so I have been getting lots of pain on the outer edge of my right foot along with numbness that goes from the toes and through the ball of the same foot.

I have adjusted my cleat position several times and I don't think that is it considering it just started and I was riding just fine in the current position with no pain. I have been keeping my shoe very lose and trying to wiggle my foot around a lot to take the pressure off on any one spot but it still hits me around mile 20 or so on every ride now no matter what I do.

any other suggestions? I could probably use a good fitting again but honestly I don't think it is position since it just started. I don't have time to get a fitting in before Saturday anyway. I thought about trying some new footbeds in my shoes but I have never had good luck with those in the past since my foot is almost flat. They always cause me a lot of arch pain, at least for walking an running with them.

[KnottedYet]

Dropped metatarsal head.

Specialized BG insoles have met buttons built in, or you can buy them at a shoe store (you want supports/buttons, NOT cushions!) for about $12 a pair. Make sure to put them in BOTH shoes, even if you are only really having trouble with one foot.

[Orange utopia]

Thanks for responding, I will look for some of those buttons today. I don't think I will be able to find the specialized footbeds locally but I will call around and see.

[Hi Ho Silver]

I'm resurrecting this thread to ask for further advice. I got some of the foot pads today because I often have the previously described pain in my left foot when I ride my bike hard. The pain never seems to occur when I walk or do other activities. Should I be wearing this "button" pad all the time or just when I'm riding?

Thanks,

Jean

[zoom-zoom]

Another suggestion is considering whether your shoes might be too narrow. I had this issue in Sidis. Switched to a pair of men's shoes (Louis Garneau, since even Sidi women's shose were a bit loose through my heels) and the problems pretty much disappeared. I still have to loosen my shoes by about the 10 mile mark on most rides, at least when the weather is warmer and my feet swell. I couldn't get my Sidis any looser and my foot was hanging over the sides of the sole piece. The problem was definitely more noticeable on my wider/longer right foot.

[pinsonp2]

I bought the BG footbeds a couple of months ago and that has made a big difference for me. I was beginning to have the 'burning' in in the ball of my foot even after a ride. The footbeds seem to have alleviated that issue.

P2

[Catrin]

I have very high arches which means that I only bear weight on a few places. I have tried orthotics but it was a very expensive failure. I've calluses due to this and sometimes long rides are just painful.

I have found a good measure of relief when I moved to Frogs - not because of the cleats/pedals but because I purchased a new pair of bike shoes. My Mavics (mtb) shoes have a good foot-bed, and I barely engage the straps so there is room for my feet to swell. This has taken care of almost all of my hot spot and foot numbness problem. Occasionally it does still happen and I simply stop for a couple of minutes. This normally provides just enough relief that the discomfort leaves.

Yes I do need to break down and try orthotics again...probably in the spring. It was SO expensive last time for so small a benefit that I am leery...but I need to eventually do something. I've been given the name of someone who is quite skilled at making them for cyclists, and I've had my initial visit, it is just hard to pull that trigger.

So the point of all this is to make certain your shoes fit properly, that they aren't too tight when your feet swell and they provide proper support and stiffness. Even when there are other problems like mine, it does make a difference.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Another suggestion is considering whether your shoes might be too narrow. I had this issue in Sidis. Switched to a pair of men's shoes (Louis Garneau, since even Sidi women's shose were a bit loose through my heels) and the problems pretty much disappeared. I still have to loosen my shoes by about the 10 mile mark on most rides, at least when the weather is warmer and my feet swell. I couldn't get my Sidis any looser and my foot was hanging over the sides of the sole piece. The problem was definitely more noticeable on my wider/longer right foot.

You raised an interesting point -my foot pain is only in the left foot, which is my wider and longer foot. I'll try to check out some new shoes. Thanks for pointing me to a possible cause and solution!

Jean

[Hi Ho Silver]

I have very high arches which means that I only bear weight on a few places. I have tried orthotics but it was a very expensive failure. I've calluses due to this and sometimes long rides are just painful.

I have found a good measure of relief when I moved to Frogs - not because of the cleats/pedals but because I purchased a new pair of bike shoes. My Mavics (mtb) shoes have a good foot-bed, and I barely engage the straps so there is room for my feet to swell. This has taken care of almost all of my hot spot and foot numbness problem. Occasionally it does still happen and I simply stop for a couple of minutes. This normally provides just enough relief that the discomfort leaves.

...snip

So the point of all this is to make certain your shoes fit properly, that they aren't too tight when your feet swell and they provide proper support and stiffness. Even when there are other problems like mine, it does make a difference.

Both you and Zoom-Zoom have mentioned shoe fit. I think y'all may be right. My shoes are pretty old and they are somewhat narrow for my feet. I've been looking at the LG MTB shoes, what model did you get?

Jean