Doomrider74

Hi folks.

I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this so please feel free to move.
For the last couple of years I've had a searing pain in the outside of the little toe on my right foot that progressively gets worse during rides. Up until now I've managed it but it's getting to a point where I can't cycle for more than 30 minutes.

I've booked an appointment at a podiatrist but they can't see me for nearly a month so I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with such things and how to mitigate the pain until I can get to an expert.

My completely ignorant, internet diagnosis is a bunion, possibly a Tailor's bunion. I've read that shoe width can be a cause and I've recently bought some wide fitting cycling shoes (Bontrager) but they've made no difference.

I'd be interested to hear your experiences. Thank you.

Iride01 

Do you use cleats?

With my SPD cleats, when I have had issues with the outside edge of my foot, I moved the cleat toward the inside of my shoe. Not sure what you'd do for SPD-SL's or toe clips.

But if you have a shoe fit issue, or have actually gotten a bunion or something, I'd have no idea.

MinnMan

Sounds like a bunion, but you need an expert., and I definitely don't qualify.

They are a drag and can require surgery.

Shoe fit, cleat placement, etc. are all issues in the long run. In the short run, I'd suggest switching to flat pedals and comfortable tennis shoes to see if you can manage to ride without pain that way.

The state of health care in this country can be alarming. Even worse than podiatrists are dermatologists. But I'm so glad we have "the best health care system in the world"

Doomrider74

Thanks. I use SPD-SLs.

Doomrider74

I'm in Canada, and its pretty good, here.
Perhaps I'll do more mountain biking and see if that helps, at least until I can see the podiatrist.

MinnMan

I would think that MTB would be worse, but you'll find out, I guess.

Sorry to hear that wait times in Canada can also be onerous. (maybe I didn't mean to start that part of the conversation)

Doomrider74

I'm from the UK, originally, and 1 month/4 weeks was about the waiting time for specialists there as well, so I don't think its that bad (my brother even had to wait 4 weeks for a skin cancer op). I could see my GP within a day or two but I'm not sure if that would be of much use, given the specialist nature of this.

The shoes are typically better padded, being more akin to normal shoes, rather than the road race-style I use on my road bike, but we'll see.

Iride01 

Does it seem like just abrasion from your little toe rubbing the toe box? What kind of socks do you wear? While you'd think that thick cushiony socks would be the thing, I have found I do better with very thin socks. Particularly socks for cyclists or runners that have a bit of compression for the foot. Might keep your toes together if they are spready! <grin>

I prefer Swiftwick and have used some running socks of the brand name Feetures for cycling.

Doomrider74

No, its not abrasion. It's definitely pressure-related.

M Rose

This might sound dumb, but sometimes it works.

While I’m the military getting ready for long ruck marches our sergeants would hand out nylon stockings and have us remove our boots and socks to put the stockings under our socks. This was to help with the foot swelling through out the march as well as offer a second skin to keep blistering and chaffing to a minimum.

I was having a bunion problem on the inside of my foot… big toe. I started using the stockings and they have gone away. But I didn’t wait to get to the point the OP was in either…

OP soak your feet nightly in an epsomsalts foot bath for about 10 minutes. Then spend quality time massaging your whole foot, your ankles, and even your calves/Achilles tendon. Do this every note for several weeks wether you ride or not. Also don’t ride until you feel the pain, stop just short of that distance.