tendon/muscle pain in the foot.

[Melonfish]

Hi,

just a bit of a rundown first, i have at one point or another suffered from or are continuing to suffer from fallen arches, achillies tendon strain and plantar fasciitis.
basically i have flat feet and buggered tendons, however cycling recently i'm finding i'm getting cramp in my foot, along the muscle on the inside of the arch that leads to the big toe, this is the Tibialis anterior tendon and the muscle located here is the abductor hallicus.
i think its hte muscle thats being strained, i'm easily getting cramp in it especially on my left foot.
i wear arch supports in my trainers when cycling but should i perhaps be looking at some proper cycling shoes with full support? i understand they are thicker on the sole and would also aid a transition to clipless.
thanks
pete

 

[Arsen Gere]

Melonfish,
I'm no expert in this field but here are some ideas:

I don't generally have foot problems, but I do get cramp as you describe if I swim after cycling or sometimes when I swim in the sea. It's always cold off the northeast coast. I suspect this is because I am pointing my toes, using what little muscle there is on my feet. I try to stretch by sitting on my heels with my toes underneath me pointing towards my knees, if that makes sense. Swimmers depend a lot on flexible feet so they may be a good source of info. Running and cycling tightens things up.

I wonder if your style of cycling might be contributing to this, if you have your toes pointed down much lower than your heel or curled up to push. Try peddaling with your toes splayed just to get a feel of pressing with the balls of your feet rather than your toes.

If you are going to make the transition to clipless pedals, why not do that and get your podiatrist to setup the shoes then get a bike fit once you are geared up for it?

I think you are right in that the stiffer soles would distribute the load along your foot, but the clips may locate your foot better and stop you putting so much load on your toes. But you would still need the right orthotics regardless of what shoes you choose.