I have recently been experiencing a level of discomfort in the ball of my right foot - kind of feels like an ache in the joint of my big toe with the pain/ache radiating from the outer edge. I also experience numbness/loss of feeling in the toe when riding. I am starting to think it must be due to my set up or shoes. I have some Gaerne MTB shoes that i have had for 3 years or so, which have never given me trouble and still seem in reasonable condition. I do far more miles on my road bike as I use it to commute. I'm wearing newer Shimano shoes for this but haven't had any problems or changed my cleat set up for at least the previous 8 months. Sat here at my desk I can feel a bit of dscomfort when resting the foot, but it isn't awful pain. Likewise when walking - it aches but isn't dreadful pain. I have tried doubling up socks on last few rides but this doesn't seem to help. Has anybody experienced anything similar?
I should add that this has been bothering me for a month or so now, in varying degrees of severity!
Age?
When does this start? Worse in the mornings?
could be loads of things..
Onset of H.A.V. (Hallux Abducto valgus) otherwise known as a bunion! Any family history of this?
Arthritic changes to the 1st metatarsalphalangeal joint.
Gout.
....amongst others..
Get yourself along to a Podiatrist to check it out for you. Your Doc can refer you or you can shell out and go private.
Thanks, should probably head to the doctor, it's just difficult getting there with work etc. I'm 35, don't believe there's a family history of bunions! Would be pretty surprised if it were gout given that I have a reasonable diet, eat little meat (wife is veggie) etc. I hope it isn't arthiritis. Feels a bit like I've deeply bruised it, but no sign of a bruise ie discolouration, and it's lasted for ages.
Oh, it's pretty much always present as a dull ache (for the last month or so), but numbness occurs when riding the bike specifically (SPD's which I have used for years).
I've got that at the mo. In both feet. Caused by being a tight git and not replacing my work boots for two and a half years. The insole had worn and my ball of foot was a lot lower than my heel. Must have been like it for years and didn't notice until me feet knackered and the balls of my feet swelled up where you have described. So I've got new comfy boots, my bone cracker has manipulated my feet and recommended to use some foot pads that Scholl make. Its slowly getting better, but as it took ages to knacker up I expect it will take ages to get better. This is a common problem for women due to wearing ridiculous shoes for long periods of time. Could be your 3 yr old shoes, is the insole replaceable? Get a comfy insole?
That's a good point soulwood. I'm a tight sod too (and skint, to be fair), and could probably do with some new, decent everyday footwear. I wonder if this could be the root of the problem... I have some decent insoles I use on the road shoes that I could try in the mtb ones too. Thanks for that.
moki, theres loads of thing it could be, i was just pointing out the obvious (im a podiatrist). Could well be as simple as soulwood described...but could be many other things... most of which remedied effectively by a good practitioner..
Thanks Captain! I understand, it's unreasonable to expect a diagnosis on an internet forum, I suppose I was just hoping someone might say "adjust your cleats" or something like that! I really appreciate your advice. Where do you practise? How could I find a good podiatrist in my area?
Im in Somerset. Look in yellow pages or yell.com. Check that they are HPC registered or get a referral from your GP...