Ball Of Foot Pain Cycling
Foot pain cycling causes and solutions.
Ball of foot pain cycling. Foot pain cycling is one of the most commonly reported problems among cyclists. Given that propelling a bicycle requires the transfer of power from the legs through the feet to the pedals it is not uncommon for a cyclist to experience pain numbness and or tingling in the forefoot area. The pain most commonly travels between the 3rd and 4th toe but others experience pain near the ball of their foot or between the 2nd and 3rd toe. For example when seated on a bike with hands on the handlebars the hands shoulders and front axle should all be in line.
A common cause of forefoot symptoms in cyclists is an inter digital. The constant squeezing leads to a pain in the base of the foot. Wearing a shoe that fits properly will help prevent numbness caused by pinching of the nerves in the arch or near the ball of your foot. If it doesn t go away despite icing self massage and taking a break from the exercise see a doctor.
Another common cause of foot numbness tingling or pain is a poor position on the bike. Hot foot in cycling also known as metatarsalgia is a condition where the nerves and joint tissues near the ball of your foot are repeatedly squeezed by the long metatarsal bones which run through the feet to the toes. Causes and prevention of hot foot in cyclists. Painful burning on the ball of the foot a k a.
For anyone with a wider foot a shoe that s too narrow will compress the metatarsals. This can be partially accredited to the pressure placed on your feet from the bike s pedals but more likely it has to do with your choice of cycling shoe and foot positioning on the bike. Will flex a little more and spread the load over more of the base of the foot rather than just the ball. Biomechanics and cycling biomechanics the study of external forces on the living body plays a crucial role in efficient satisfying cycling.
Pain in the ball of your foot should not happen while cycling. Equally it may be the result of an underlying foot condition. How to treat foot pain from cycling. Nere onosode dpm is a doctor of podiatric medicine and board qualified by the american board of foot and ankle surgery.
Hot foot or metatarsalgia is usually a result of hot weather or poorly fitting shoes or both on long hilly rides.