Swollen ankle
 

I recently increased my distances. I moved up to 50km, then 55 then 60km. I did notice numbness in my left ankle after 65km

Tuesday this week I rode between 65-70km. I did not overexhert myself and travelled at a casual speed, though it was very windy on the way out. I stopped for lunch at about 35km and then turned back. Total time including lunch was about 4hrs. I did not notice any major issues, excepting my ankle was again numbing. I awoke the next morning (Wednesday) with my left ankle very swollen and numb, almost asleep. As of today, Saturday it was still swollen though swelling had decreased but numbness persists..

No swelling and no issues whatsoever with my right ankle.

I have not rode since as trying to let heal.

Today I went to an LBS to purchase some unrelated items. The mechanic and I talked and he asked what type of pedals I had? I said SPD pedals. He suggested that they don't have enough "float". I didn't have the shoes or pedals with me, I ride well worn Shimano SPD shoes and pedals as they allow me to walk around while riding. I do have orthotic inserts within my shoes. I did take those shoes in when getting fitted for othotics and no issues per the technician

I would post photos but keep getting a message with "ALERT" when trying to add to thread???

Any advice??

Exactly where is it swollen?

Carbonfiberboy

Sorry. Was relying on photos to show all but then couldn't post

Injury to outside edge. Medial Malleolus.

Will try to post photos again.
Nicks and cuts are not cycling related!
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...170b39d0c6.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2551e72ae0.jpg

Shimano SPD pedals. Not loose.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a595e4f708.jpg

Was planning on subbing in a new set of SPD pedals but have just replaced my Selle San Marco with a Brooks so don't want to confuse my body more than I need to, unless it's wisdom on here I should try the new set now.

I doubt that's cycling-related other than incidentally. Looks like maybe a bone spur rubbing a tendon. See an orthopod (orthopedic surgeon). Could also be an ankle sprain. Get it looked at anyway. Not a good look.

SPD pedals have plenty of float. You can check, though. While riding, fool with twisting your feet. You don't want to be up against either stop, rather somewhere in the middle of where your feet want to be. If that's not true, adjust your cleats until it is.

Good call on the bone spur idea.

I'll book an appointment Monday for an xray and see what can be found. Can't see a sprain as no recall of a recent ankle injury but the idea that a previous injury maybe returning is worth looking into.

No ride tomorrow but maybe Sunday or Monday for an early morning ride and see what if any changes appear.

Wesley

You should follow Carbonfiberboy's advice and see an orthopedic ankle specialist. The ankle is a complex joint and early diagnosis and intervention can prevent long-term adverse outcomes.
Your SPD pedals are not the problem. Apart from the other foot serving as a "control", there is plenty of float with SPD, as noted above.
On a personal-experience note, a little over two years ago I slipped on ice and gave myself a "maisonneuve fracture" of my right ankle. There was pain, swelling and the need for surgery with screws to hold the fibula and tibia together. Two weeks in a cast, eight more weeks in a boot, two months off work, six weeks of physical therapy, four months off the bike. I put platform pedals on my bike until my surgeon said it was OK to go back to clipless which was about six months after the surgery. It took over a year for all the swelling to go away though.
I have SPD pedals on my road and mountain bikes. My ankle is completely back to normal.
The surgeon told me that if I had not followed through with the recommended treatment, I could expect osteoarthritis to develop in the ankle. Get seen ASAP.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8bc6e25737.jpg
Four days after the injury. Notice the knee scooter in the background.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d82acfba72.jpg
Three weeks post-surgery. Three of four incisions are visible.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c9b8630b37.jpg
Where the screws were placed. They were resorbable, so didn't need removal. :-)

I lucked out and got into dr office.

Apparently there are two separate issues.

First issue easy to handle.
She feels swelling is caused by a sprain that was aggravated by 70km. Suggested that I not stop riding fully, just dial back for a few weeks then build back up.

Second issue is more complex.
Apparently my left foot is pushed outwards as I walk (or bike). This causes me to lean onto the outside of my ankle and as I age this will get worse. She said I need to move my left foot closer into bike which will spread pressure more evenly. She said even a few mm would be very helpful.

Spoke of this to local framebuilder who suggests I move to cartridge BB and adjust d/side in an extra mm or 2.

Can try the cartridge method.

Now wondering if anyone makes a shim for cleats to lift the edge of the foot inwards or could I install a shim under insole to cause same????

Cleat wedge kits are on the market. No problem. Custom insoles (orthotics) are expensive, but you can move them from shoe to shoe. That latter is a podiatrist thing. Which to choose might also be a podiatrist thing. The wedge is cheap and quick to try. Might not need to mess with the BB.
https://www.bikefit.com/c-1-cleat-wedges.aspx

Agree with the wedge. Inexpensive and are installed in minutes. My knee used to flop to the inside and brush the top tube. This was cured with a wedge. But I also have very high arches so in addition I use heat moldable foot beds with built up additional support under the arch. Now I'm sensitive to other cyclists leg action on the bike path when I'm behind. I frequently see knees flailing all over the place and wonder how those people are not having knee issues. Maybe it is just a matter of time for issues to show up.