Thinking of cutting little toe off.
04-04-18, 05:49 AM
#30
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I have been fighting this problem with the little toe on my right foot for a year now. At about 60-70 miles it starts to hurt and gets worse the farther I ride. By the time I get to a 100 I am ready to cut the toe off. The pain is bad, never felt anything like it.
I use Shimano r171 shoes, speedplay zero cleats. I had the same issue with Look style cleats. I put wedge in that seemed to help a bit. I am thinking the toe box is not big enough for my foot. I was going to order some Shimano RC7 wide but don't want to drop 200 for another pair of shoes. I thought about cutting the area out of the shoe where my little toe is but decided not to ruin a good pair of shoes. I opted to put my cleats on a pair of Shimano R088 shoes. There seemed to be more room in them than the R171.
Anyone have this problem before or any thoughts beside cutting my toe off.
The last time I saw my doc I asked about cutting the toe off. He laughed, but I was serious. It really gets to hurting. I intended to ride a hundred today but stopped at just over 70 because the pain was starting.
Oh, I have tried loosening and tightening straps it does not help.
I do have a good Specialized insole fitted in the shoe. I did that the last 100 mile ride a couple weeks ago. The LBS used their fancy hi-tech foot device on me.
Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated.
I use Shimano r171 shoes, speedplay zero cleats. I had the same issue with Look style cleats. I put wedge in that seemed to help a bit. I am thinking the toe box is not big enough for my foot. I was going to order some Shimano RC7 wide but don't want to drop 200 for another pair of shoes. I thought about cutting the area out of the shoe where my little toe is but decided not to ruin a good pair of shoes. I opted to put my cleats on a pair of Shimano R088 shoes. There seemed to be more room in them than the R171.
Anyone have this problem before or any thoughts beside cutting my toe off.
The last time I saw my doc I asked about cutting the toe off. He laughed, but I was serious. It really gets to hurting. I intended to ride a hundred today but stopped at just over 70 because the pain was starting.
Oh, I have tried loosening and tightening straps it does not help.
I do have a good Specialized insole fitted in the shoe. I did that the last 100 mile ride a couple weeks ago. The LBS used their fancy hi-tech foot device on me.
Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated.
04-04-18, 05:55 AM
#31
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I have been looking at wider shoes. I will check the Sidi's out.
I just don't want to spend more money on shoes without knowing they are truly roomier in the toe area.
04-04-18, 09:56 AM
#33
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I have the Sidi MEGAs and they are plenty wide for my wide flipper feet.
I've also heard that BONT makes a really wide toe-box.
If you do the redneck toe amputation video, might I suggest FREEZING it off! Please post a link either way.
I've also heard that BONT makes a really wide toe-box.
If you do the redneck toe amputation video, might I suggest FREEZING it off! Please post a link either way.
04-04-18, 10:07 AM
#34
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Another approach - take the shoes to a cobbler and have him stretch them. I haven't done this (narrow feet) but I have heard of others that have. Good cobblers know shoes. They don't deal with the stuff we have under the soles, but all the stuff above is what they do. And a good cobbler is tell you if what you are asking cannot be done or may damage the shoe. So you have very little to lose going to them. (And - my experience suggests ruining a good pair of shoes that are going to cause real medical issues just plain isn't that big a loss. Those medical bills add up VERY fast!
I had somewhat similar issues with my little toe getting irritated and eventually infected from pulling up hard on my strapped shoes climbing fix gear. (30,000' over 7 days at Cycle Oregon.) This despite the fact that the shoes were some of the best fitting and comfortable shoes I have ever had. I eventually removed the straps and installed laces. Radical improvement!
Ben
I had somewhat similar issues with my little toe getting irritated and eventually infected from pulling up hard on my strapped shoes climbing fix gear. (30,000' over 7 days at Cycle Oregon.) This despite the fact that the shoes were some of the best fitting and comfortable shoes I have ever had. I eventually removed the straps and installed laces. Radical improvement!
Ben
04-04-18, 11:13 AM
#35
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I left home for awhile and this post is two pages long now. I will say this for the third time I was not seriously considering cutting my toe off. LOL, I just came home from Specialized.
It turns out my foot is not as long as I thought it was, nor as wide. I've been wearing a 47 for years. I went with a 47 because my running shoes were 47's. They put me in a Brannock device and it said 44.5, then they put me on the Retul and it said the same thing, as for foot width both the Brannock and Retul showed standard width. So I cam e home with a pair of Specialized Torch 2.0 size 45W after trying on several shoes they brought out.
Now it's time to put the cleats on and get the bike ready for riding in the morning.
Thanks for everyone's input including the odd ones.
It turns out my foot is not as long as I thought it was, nor as wide. I've been wearing a 47 for years. I went with a 47 because my running shoes were 47's. They put me in a Brannock device and it said 44.5, then they put me on the Retul and it said the same thing, as for foot width both the Brannock and Retul showed standard width. So I cam e home with a pair of Specialized Torch 2.0 size 45W after trying on several shoes they brought out.
Now it's time to put the cleats on and get the bike ready for riding in the morning.
Thanks for everyone's input including the odd ones.
04-04-18, 11:24 AM
#36
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If you cut it off, the next one in line would start hurting.
Seriously though, before blowing big coin on new shoes I would cruise craigslist for a pair in a wide and try them out.
Other comment on this, try moving your cleat inbound on the shoe some (towards the BB). Not much. I think I have the direction correct there.
Also, do you pedal at all "toe down" as you start to push? That can force your foot further into the toe box. I often shift forward to do a 1min sprint or pursuit and find I do that and it'll cramp that outside toe.
Seriously though, before blowing big coin on new shoes I would cruise craigslist for a pair in a wide and try them out.
Other comment on this, try moving your cleat inbound on the shoe some (towards the BB). Not much. I think I have the direction correct there.
Also, do you pedal at all "toe down" as you start to push? That can force your foot further into the toe box. I often shift forward to do a 1min sprint or pursuit and find I do that and it'll cramp that outside toe.
04-04-18, 11:28 AM
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04-04-18, 11:42 AM
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04-04-18, 12:45 PM
#42
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Sweet thread!
04-04-18, 12:52 PM
#43
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This is a good point.
If the OP is actually considering having his toes removed or tries to go through with it then he has psychological problems and needs to see someone.
In Georgia there are ways a family member can intervene to shut down someone who is at risk of hurting themselves.
72 hour psychiatric hold, 1550 law, or "have someone 1013'd"
-Tim-
If the OP is actually considering having his toes removed or tries to go through with it then he has psychological problems and needs to see someone.
In Georgia there are ways a family member can intervene to shut down someone who is at risk of hurting themselves.
72 hour psychiatric hold, 1550 law, or "have someone 1013'd"
-Tim-
We don't get to order our own medical tests, nor order our own operations.
04-04-18, 04:28 PM
#45
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I have been dealing with a similar issue under the pad of my left little toe. I tried different brand shoes and wider shoes along with a myriad of cleat and saddle adjustments with no luck. I had a bike fit check which didn't amount to any significant change. Things got better in the spring after I had some custom molded shoe orthotics made, they seemed to help a lot. I thought my problem was under control until winter hit and I started doing a lot of training inside via Zwift. Riding for 2-3 hours non-stop and slowing increasing my FTP. This regime has resulted in my problem coming back worse than ever.
Somethings to consider are potential leg length discrepancies and the angle of your foot (Varus/Valgus). I have recently added a Varus wedge (3/16") under my left Shimano SPD-SL which helps transfer pressure from my left little toe towards my big toe while pedaling. It also adds some stack height to my left leg which is shorter than my right leg. This seems to have helped but my problem now is I am struggling to take enough time off the bike for my toe to completely heal; workout addiction.
This type of pain really wears on you over time and I can understand the OPs thoughts about amputation.
Somethings to consider are potential leg length discrepancies and the angle of your foot (Varus/Valgus). I have recently added a Varus wedge (3/16") under my left Shimano SPD-SL which helps transfer pressure from my left little toe towards my big toe while pedaling. It also adds some stack height to my left leg which is shorter than my right leg. This seems to have helped but my problem now is I am struggling to take enough time off the bike for my toe to completely heal; workout addiction.
This type of pain really wears on you over time and I can understand the OPs thoughts about amputation.
04-04-18, 04:55 PM
#46
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I'm thinking wire clippers are a poor choice for this job.
A dremel with a disc cutter is the proper tool for toe removal IMO. Or explosives...
A dremel with a disc cutter is the proper tool for toe removal IMO. Or explosives...
04-04-18, 05:13 PM
#47
Jedi Master
04-04-18, 05:14 PM
#48
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Yep.
Either that, or keep trying shoes until you find some that are comfortable.
Bunions are somewhat common, but more frequently found with women. Although apparently a big toe issue, and not a little toe issue. But, it could throw your foot off kilter.
Bone spurs?
Anyway, if you can't find a comfortable shoe, then try the podiatrist, and see what they recommend.
Either that, or keep trying shoes until you find some that are comfortable.
Bunions are somewhat common, but more frequently found with women. Although apparently a big toe issue, and not a little toe issue. But, it could throw your foot off kilter.
Bone spurs?
Anyway, if you can't find a comfortable shoe, then try the podiatrist, and see what they recommend.
04-04-18, 07:06 PM
#49
don't try this at home.
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~~~
I have Sidi Mega wide shoes. They are actually a little too wide, so the insole has a small gap on the outside edge. That's caused some foot problems, so now I bought an oversized insole and trimmed it to fit correctly. These too-big shoes have a slight wrinkle in the top. Shoes need to be right, not too small or too large.
I've used "callus cushions" to take the pressure off a sore spot (on the outside of my foot, opposite of this example). Cheap and easy to try.
04-04-18, 07:44 PM
#50
Senior Member
I say cut it off. Then you can be as hard core as NFLs Ronnie Lott. Respect (said as I tap my chest with my fist).