WGB 

Tried this on the fitting form but got limited response and need answers.

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

Final ride was about 70km. I did not over exert 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, except my ankle was again numbing. I awoke the next morning with my left ankle very swollen and numb, almost asleep. Now, almost three weeks later it's still swollen though swelling had decreased but numbness persists.

No swelling and no issues whatsoever with my right ankle.

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 orthotics and no issues per the technician with my shoes. I am replacing the shoes with a new pair of Shimano SPD shoes

I have rode minimally since as trying to let heal. On Friday I was able to get into see a doctor but would be a good wait to get into a specialist. Doctor felt there are two separate issues.

First issue easy to handle.
She (the Doctor) feels swelling was caused by a very minor and unrelated sprain I hadn't noticed and that was aggravated by the 65 then 70km. Suggested that I not stop riding fully, just dial back for a few weeks then build back up. So I rode Friday evening and today for only 10km. Numbing still there but again no noticeable pain. I'll take care moving numbers 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. This wasn't an issue last year so ageing is a possibility. 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 non drive side in an extra mm or 2.

Can try the cartridge method.

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

Can I combine these methods (shim - either to pedal or insole and trying to adjust BB tighter to frame?

Anyone have similar issues??

The Golden Boy 

I just have 'old beat up guy' body. Paratrooper knees aggravated by a tragic bowling accident, mysterious swelly foot, catastrophic hand crush, and chronic back pain... the ankle thing is recent...

Forgot the shoulder... yeah, that too.

3speedslow

Not heard of this particular problem. Hope it works out for you! Numbness to me signals nerve oncoming nerve damage.

WGB 

The Golden Boy I knew the misspent childhood issues would come back on me (broke bones, torn hamstring concussions, etc) but apparently the issue with walking and putting my weight on the outside edge of my foot has been there for years, just didn't affect me like it does now.
3speedslow. Not sure I like the sound of "oncoming nerve damage". Definitely have to find a work around for this before it gets worse.

There has to be a member who has had a gait like mine and found a solution. I thought I'd heard of pedal shims or cleat shims before but unsure if they exist let alone assist with this issue.

Added a B17 to the mix so getting hammered that way as well though at least I knew that issue would happen.

droppedandlost 

cleat shims are definitely a thing

https://www.bikefit.com/c-1-cleat-wedges.aspx

thinktubes 

I've found that stretching, strength training, and yoga are very beneficial.

my left foot has "more" arch than my right and this can cause issue. Tried the shim thing without much luck. Keeping my calves and hamstring loose has helped more than anything.

AeroGut

What does “pushed to the outside” mean? Is there a flexibility or strength issue on that side (maybe in the hip?) that can be addressed through physical therapy and fix the problem at its source?

WGB 

AeroGut What does “pushed to the outside” mean? Is there a flexibility or strength issue on that side (maybe in the hip?) that can be addressed through physical therapy and fix the problem at its source?

Good question.
I had her run through what she thought this second issue was and never thought to ask about therapy. Now i have to wait until next Tuesday to get in again.

Also, I should have used more detail when I typed above. When I typed lean onto the outside of my ankle I meant to say that she was telling me I seem to put my weight onto the outside of my ankle and the left (out) side of my left foot when I walk or cycle. Apparently, this is how I've walked for many years if not forever. I used to wear heavy military and work boots and so it wasn't as noticeable because the leather uppers corrected my feet on their own. I have orthotics and was just in to get a new pair of those so they might have a positive affect but since I've had orthotics for at least 15 years and always wear them when cycling I'm not sure I'll see much improvement for this issue.

She seemed to feel that this was something that had appeared since she last saw me (April 2019) in that it had worsened but, again, it was always there.

I'm wondering about a technique to correct this issue in a cycling specific way. I get that as a doctor she can recognize what the end result has to be. My concern is to find away to respond correctly which is something she can't know as she's not a rider. I've seen people add or remove a washer between a pedal and a crank arm to adjust a fit but I don't need to move outwards or even stay central as apparently I have to force my left foot to move inwards and tilt to the right ever so slightly.

Sorry for not adding enough detail originally. One of those times when you see the issue but don't type it out for others because it makes sense to you

thook

yoga was mentioned up there and i'd support that suggestion strongly. but, if you're not into that kinda thing, any type of fascial therapy is darn good stuff. misalignment in the muscular/skeletal system is a habituated body response (mostly subconscious) and all related to tension and stress from experience and/or injury...unless it's congenital, of course. fascial therapy (or yoga, etc) will help the body relearn alignment through rebalancing strength, flexibility, and releasing those habituated tendencies. i've seen amazing results. seriously. and, for nutritional support, if you eat animal foods, look into making your own bone broth with lots of collagen. there are youtube videos on it as well the fascia therapy. people that do either or both swear by it. and, if i may suggest from personal experiences, keep whatever you do simple and manageable so it more easily integrates within your lifestyle. maybe you need to make some changes, but overwhelm sucks and throws alot of people off from keeping up with whatever changes they are trying to make

ridethecliche

Sounds like you need a custom insole

Bigbus

And people look at me weird for wearing my jump boots. I wonder what direction my feet would go without them...

clubman 

I don't know how old you are or physical history but it could be vascular as well. Any blown out veins in your legs? Skin discoloration?

WGB 

No vein issues or discoloration. I'm 57.

Based on advice to move foot closer to frame I moved cleats to as far out as possible on the left foot as I could then I rode 32 km (about 19 miles) this morning. Right side cleat is set to the inside where it always was. No noticeable issues during ride or after but will see in AM how it feels. Ankle still sensitive.

In 2013 I had surgery on my left knee for a meniscus tear. All has been successful until now (and I had even forgotten it until this morning) but wondering if any connection as my knee has often gone numb since that surgery. I'm in Ontario and to get back into see the surgeon specialist I have to see my own doctor and get a referral. I'm into the family doctor Tuesday for a referral.

For now I'll do short rides only.