Cycling and Foot Pain

Regular cycling has numerous health benefits including increased cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength and flexibility, improved joint mobility, decreased stress levels, decreased body fat levels, and strengthened bones. Cycling can also improve posture and coordination when done properly. Ultra-distance cycling is a growing trend among cyclists and more and more amateurs are emulating the pros by going further and harder.[i] Even for those who are less hardcore about racing, biking is seen as a cost effective, healthy and convenient way to get around.

Cycling requires the transfer of power from the legs through the feet to the pedals, so it is not uncommon for a cyclist to experience pain, numbness and/or tingling in their feet. Nerve irritation and inflammation results in typical symptoms of pain, though there can also be an associated feeling of radiation of pain, numbness and tingling into the web-space and toes of the affected nerve. New riding, increasing distance, or poor equipment often contribute to foot pain.

Many cyclists suffer some form of foot pain, particularly on longer rides. The majority of symptoms that cyclists get on the undersides of their feet – hot, burning sensations, numbness, pain – originate from the nerves to the toes. Many solutions to foot pain are aimed either at giving the nerves in your feet more space, or relieving pressure over the ball of the foot. The experts at Corona Foot and Ankle Group can offer you tips to avoid injury while cycling and solutions for those already in pain.

Poor shoe fit, poor cleat position, and poor posture are all potential causes and exacerbating factors of foot pain. Improperly fitted shoes are a common cause of foot pain; shoes that are too small or too tight can squeeze your feet. Placing cleats too far forward is a very common cause of foot issues, as this forward position leads to more pressure on the forefoot. Improper foot posture, often in the form of a slight twist inward, can also cause foot pain on the outside of one or both of your feet. These are all issues that a professional can help you identify.

In addition to poor shoe fit, poor cleat position, and poor posture there are a variety of conditions that could cause foot pain. For example, if symptoms are confined to one foot, it could be due to Morton’s neuroma which is a benign swelling around one of the plantar nerves that gets painfully compressed between the metatarsal heads. Morton’s neuroma can be diagnosed after clinical symptoms and physical examination findings have been considered though sometimes, a diagnostic ultrasound or MRI can be used to aid in the diagnosis of a neuroma.

Another example is metatarsalgia, colloquially known as ‘hot foot’, wherein the nerves and joint tissue near the ball of your foot are repeatedly squeezed by the long metatarsal bones which run through the feet to toes. Often, changing shoe size or type will relieve symptoms. As always, prevention is critical; knowing which shoes, socks, and equipment to use is critical.

If symptoms persist or frequently reoccur, you should seek a professional’s advice. There are some causes of foot pain that are more serious and require more than just a change of shoes.

Dr. Amin, at Corona Foot and Ankle Group, is an expert at working with patients with foot pain. She will conduct an examinations and offer an individualized treatment plan to address the issues causing your foot pain. At Corona Foot and Ankle Group we believe in the significance of patient education and we will work with you to help relieve your pain so that you can continue to enjoy cycling.  

[i] https://www.redbull.com/us-en/worlds-toughest-endurance-cycling-events