My feet are getting strange
09-10-09, 07:31 AM
#1
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My feet are getting strange
Two things are happening with my feet. First, my feet are swelling after longer rides as I get home to rest. Second my arches are strengthening and my feet begin to hurt when wearing unsupportive shoes.
I’ve been taking a 110+ ride every third weekend since May. I upgraded to good quality cycling shoes with enough comfort and stiff soles. I also am using Look Keo pedals. My feet are comfortable when I ride with no hot-spots or tightness. However, my feet really swell up when I get home. It’s not painful, but I need to elevate my feet. The swelling is reduced by the next morning. Is this normal?
I’ve had semi-flat feet my whole life. This has limited me from running on hard pavement. I can run on grass and ran cross country in High School. My arches seem better defined and stronger than ever now that I’m cycling 600 miles a month. If I wear slippers for several hours around the house, my arches begin to hurt. If I use better athletic shoes or more expensive dress shoes, my pain goes away.
Should I consider special shoes?
Michael
I’ve been taking a 110+ ride every third weekend since May. I upgraded to good quality cycling shoes with enough comfort and stiff soles. I also am using Look Keo pedals. My feet are comfortable when I ride with no hot-spots or tightness. However, my feet really swell up when I get home. It’s not painful, but I need to elevate my feet. The swelling is reduced by the next morning. Is this normal?
I’ve had semi-flat feet my whole life. This has limited me from running on hard pavement. I can run on grass and ran cross country in High School. My arches seem better defined and stronger than ever now that I’m cycling 600 miles a month. If I wear slippers for several hours around the house, my arches begin to hurt. If I use better athletic shoes or more expensive dress shoes, my pain goes away.
Should I consider special shoes?
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
09-10-09, 11:38 AM
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Due to the swelling I would see a doctor.
Although it could be related to be being flat footed. Is the swelling in the arch area? I had an arch problem a couple of years ago, because I tore a muscle in my foot. I slipped on some ice and than caught my balance before I fell, but the twisting torque that was applied to my foot tore the muscle.
Hurt like you wouldn't believe, and like all muscle pulls and tears it would tighten up. It would also swell up along the arch if I was on my feet for too long. Massaging my foot felt like heaven.
Flat footed people are prone to arch pain though. The military used to be (still is?) really finicky about allowing flat footed people to serve, since combat boots have lousy arch support and aren't all that comfortable to walk in, especially for long distances.
I'd say the reason that your feet hurt in slippers is lack of an arch support. Better shoes and sneakers have them, my cycling cleats don't, do yours? The lack of support could be taxing the muscles in your feet. A doctor could write you a prescription for a removable custom made arch support.
Although it could be related to be being flat footed. Is the swelling in the arch area? I had an arch problem a couple of years ago, because I tore a muscle in my foot. I slipped on some ice and than caught my balance before I fell, but the twisting torque that was applied to my foot tore the muscle.
Hurt like you wouldn't believe, and like all muscle pulls and tears it would tighten up. It would also swell up along the arch if I was on my feet for too long. Massaging my foot felt like heaven.
Flat footed people are prone to arch pain though. The military used to be (still is?) really finicky about allowing flat footed people to serve, since combat boots have lousy arch support and aren't all that comfortable to walk in, especially for long distances.
I'd say the reason that your feet hurt in slippers is lack of an arch support. Better shoes and sneakers have them, my cycling cleats don't, do yours? The lack of support could be taxing the muscles in your feet. A doctor could write you a prescription for a removable custom made arch support.
09-10-09, 01:35 PM
#4
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Due to the swelling I would see a doctor.
Although it could be related to be being flat footed. Is the swelling in the arch area? I had an arch problem a couple of years ago, because I tore a muscle in my foot. I slipped on some ice and than caught my balance before I fell, but the twisting torque that was applied to my foot tore the muscle.
Hurt like you wouldn't believe, and like all muscle pulls and tears it would tighten up. It would also swell up along the arch if I was on my feet for too long. Massaging my foot felt like heaven.
Flat footed people are prone to arch pain though. The military used to be (still is?) really finicky about allowing flat footed people to serve, since combat boots have lousy arch support and aren't all that comfortable to walk in, especially for long distances.
I'd say the reason that your feet hurt in slippers is lack of an arch support. Better shoes and sneakers have them, my cycling cleats don't, do yours? The lack of support could be taxing the muscles in your feet. A doctor could write you a prescription for a removable custom made arch support.
Although it could be related to be being flat footed. Is the swelling in the arch area? I had an arch problem a couple of years ago, because I tore a muscle in my foot. I slipped on some ice and than caught my balance before I fell, but the twisting torque that was applied to my foot tore the muscle.
Hurt like you wouldn't believe, and like all muscle pulls and tears it would tighten up. It would also swell up along the arch if I was on my feet for too long. Massaging my foot felt like heaven.
Flat footed people are prone to arch pain though. The military used to be (still is?) really finicky about allowing flat footed people to serve, since combat boots have lousy arch support and aren't all that comfortable to walk in, especially for long distances.
I'd say the reason that your feet hurt in slippers is lack of an arch support. Better shoes and sneakers have them, my cycling cleats don't, do yours? The lack of support could be taxing the muscles in your feet. A doctor could write you a prescription for a removable custom made arch support.
I've been using Aline footbeds for cycling and alpine skiing. They have been great, see: https://www.aline.com/
I'm going to see if the cooler weather reduces the problem. I'm also going to keep my electrolites well replenished at the end of long rides.
I'm also going to avoid flat soled shoes without arch support.
Michael
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 09-10-09 at 01:44 PM.
09-10-09, 04:00 PM
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My feet swell when I get dehydrated or my electrolytes are unbalanced.
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09-13-09, 04:41 AM
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You might have to see a podiatrist if you want medical help for this problem. They are the ones who prescribe arch supports using a foot impression that are custom made. Swelling and pain suggests some kind of overuse / sprain situation. I would wonder if your cleats are in the optimal position and whether your cadence and pedaling mechanics are ideal or not. Other factors could be a tourniquet like effect from the cycling shorts or undiscovered problems with heart, lung, kidney or liver (very unlikely, but possible). The latter situation would seem to cause foot and ankle swelling, most likely. Good luck with this.
