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Endurance XC: Overuse Injuries?

1K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Jaybo 
#1 ·
I never thought that this could happen, but alas...

Background: In my 15 years of competitive cycling, I never experienced any type of overuse injury from cycling. I ride mtn, road, cross, and sometimes commute, so I average 2-400 miles/ week.

The Issue: My problem is that I have a lump under my small toe's MPJ. This "lump" apparently is not painful during walking, but it feels like a bruise when I run and while riding- IT CAUSES TINGLING AND NUMBNESS IN BOTH FEET.

FACTS: It doesn't respond quickly to a decrease in riding volume and I've tried wedges, shims, and about six different pairs of shoes. My pedals are in excellent condition and I've tried new and old cleats and, my pedal cleat combination has not changed in over ten years. My fore/aft and saddle height are correctly set.

I've visited a PT and a podiatrist, but neither are cyclists so they are clueless about what might be causing this problem and clueless about how to fix it.

Prayer For Help: Has anyone experienced a similar problem? If so, how did you address/solve the problem?
 
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#4 ·
Update: I've taken 7 days off from cycling and the bumps under my 5th metatarsal heads is shrinking, so it must be a problem with my fit, pedals, cleats, or shoes b/c the affected area is the same on both feet.

Additionally, the numbness and burning starts under the 5th toes and then spreads into the entire forefoot. I have another appt. with the podiatrist this week.

This has been such a difficult situation that I hope that I can solve it for myself and help others reduce the amount of time that it takes to pinpoint the problem (b/c I have tried almost every combination of new gear, position, therapy, and cross-training). The only thing that I haven't yet tried is a vast reduction in my riding volume; however, I've reluctantly begun that now. If I can get the swelling down, then I can more closely monitor what triggers the inflammation and hopefully find the source.
 
#3 ·
I thought about that and you'd think that the podiatrist would pick-up on that if it were Morton's, but because the numbness only starts when I ride hard (big gears), it's hard to say if the numbness and burning have a specific location.
 
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