ruh-roh! foot issue...

[shewhobikes]

OK, I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is what eventually led me to cycling, which I LOVE. This Sunday I'm scheduled for my first charity ride, in which I'll do somewhere between 40-61 miles depending on how I feel.

One of the worst RA effects is a really f-ed up right foot. Major bunion thingy right on the ball of that foot, sorta between the big and mid toes. Usually it behaves, but Tuesday clipped in for my leisurely happy ride of 20 or so miles with the local friendly club, my right foot sorta got numb from ball of the foot up to the toes. It was very aggravating toward the end, but once I got off the bike and into my flip flops, I didn't pay it much mind.

Tonight I look at the bottom of my foot and holy crapoly, that bunion thingy looks like a major greenish bruise! Sorry if this is too much info, but I am determined to do my Sunday ride and I don't want it sabotaged by this thing, because if it hurt at 15 miles I don't want to think about miles after that. Suggestions? I'm thinking a bunion pad (or several) but I don't want to add to the problem by too much friction!

I'm wearing the same Shimano mtn bike shoes I've worn since I started riding in January, and the same clipless pedals I started with about 6-8 weeks ago, so nothing new about the equipment to cause this.

Ideas? Help? Thanks,
Shew

[LBTC]

ouch!! I don't have any experience with bunions - hopefully someone will have a good suggestion about what will work for you! Good luck!!

as for why? hmmmm Could anything else be "out"? - like your hips, knees, etc... could your saddle have gotten out of whack? is there a crack in the sole of your shoe? could anything about your riding position have changed? maybe something is slightly different for some reason and that's enough to torment your tender tootsies!

I hope you find the cause and enough comfort to do your ride!

namaste,
~T~

[Jones]

I, too, have major foot issues and when it heats up it gets worse. I have a mortons nuroma in my left foot between my third and forth toes. I find that having a metatorsil pad and wearing toe socks really helps. I found both these items at my local independent running store. I hope this helps.


Jones

[nuthatch]

Aww, Shew! Foot problems, like all the other chorus of parts, are so tricky! Is your RA flaring up in any other way or is your foot the only thing acting up right now?

It's risky to change anything so close to your ride. But maybe a thicker shoe insert with the bunion part cut out so it can have more space? I know you can't avoid puting pressure on that part of your foot, though!

[Dogmama]

I have lupus - a cousin to RA. I didn't know that RA could cause bunions? In any case - remember to pull up on your pedal stroke and wiggle your to keep as much pressure off as possible. I agree that changing things this close can be risky.

[trigurl]

Call you Doctor

[shewhobikes]

For the support and ideas....

Nuthatch, no, it's not flaring, just for whatever reason (I still can't figure out) this particular spot is really sore. And yes, it's right where I normally put pressure on while clipped in.

Dogmama, the RA doesn't cause bunions, but the joint issues have really sort of deformed my right foot, so things just aren't hinged the way they were originally intended, which is why I have this huge bunion thingy (well, that's what I call it). Hope you've got the lupus under control.

I agree that changing something might be risky so close. Jones, you made me think, though, that I might try the local running store which serves a lot of triathletes. Maybe they'll have an idea. Or maybe I'll try a podiatrist.

Anyhoo, I'll keep y'all posted. Thanks again!