To anyone suffering discomfort in any part of the leg, knee, ankle or foot as a consequence of clipless pedal use:
It's not necessary.
1. Reposition your cleats. Either get some help from someone who is familiar with setting them up, or, do some reading.
2. Try some different shoes or insoles. Cycling shoes are subject to the same fit concerns as any other type of foot wear.
3. If those haven't worked, consider trying a different pedal system. As stage as it seems, some report hot spots and knee issues with some pedal systems, but, not others.
Don't suffer pain thinking its part of the clipless pedal equation.
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Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage License Driver's License and Residency Permit all say I'm a Fred. I guess there's no denying it.