Common cycling injuries are often due to trying to do, “too much, too soon”, but may also be due to improper equipment, biomechanics, technique, or bike fit.  As with all athletic injuries, pain that is persistent indicates a need to seek treatment from a sports medicine specialist familiar with cycling injuries.

Foot Pain

1. “Hot foot” (numbness and burning in the ball of the foot)

Impingement of small nerve branches between the second and third or third and fourth toes can cause swelling which results in numbness, tingling, or burning, or sharp shooting pains into the toes.  Loosening shoe toe straps, wearing wider shoes with a stiffer sole and using anatomical footbed with a metarsal pad will help alleviate the problem.

Besides tight shoes, another risk factor is small pedals, especially if you have large feet.  Small pedal surfaces concentrate pressure on the ball of the foot.  Switching to larger pedals may be the cure.  Re-focus the pressure on the ball of the foot by moving the cleats towards the rear of the shoe.  If your cycling shoes have flexible soles like most mountain bike shoes, they’ll be less able to diffuse pressure.

Physician-designed custom orthotics provide biomechanical benefits and can be made with built-in “neuroma pads”.  Cycling orthotics are different than those for runners, as cycling is a forefoot activity, not a heel-strike activity.

Cortisone injections occasionally may be helpful for symptomatic relief, but they do not address the cause of the pain.

2. Sesamoiditis:

The sesamoids are two small “seed-like” bones found beneath the big toe joint.  Injury to these tiny bones can result in inflammation or even fracture, leading to debilitating pain and inactivity. Sesamoiditis can be relieved with proper shoe selection, accommodative padding, and foot orthoses.

Leg Pain

1. Achilles tendonitis

Irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel done can be caused by improper pedaling, seat height, lack of a proper warm-up, or overtraining.  This condition is usually seen in more experienced riders and can be treated with ice, rest, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory medications.  Chronic pain or any swelling should be professionally evaluated.  Floating pedals which allow excessive foot pronation may also worsen this condition.

2. Shin splints

Pain to either side of the leg bone, caused by muscle or tendon inflammation, which may be related to a muscle imbalance between opposing muscle groups in the leg.  It is commonly related to excessive foot pronation (collapsing arch).  Proper stretching, changing pedals, and corrective orthoses that limit pronation can help.

Knee Pain

Some intrinsic knee problems like swelling, clicking, or popping should be immediately evaluated by a sports medicine specialist.  Cartilage irritation or deterioration, usually under the knee-cap, can be caused by biomechanical imbalance, improper saddle height, or faulty foot positioning on the pedals.  Riding in too high a gear “mashing”, excessive uphill climbing, or standing on the pedals all may aggravate the problem.  Cleated shoes or touring shoes with ribbed soles that limit side-to-side motion can cause knee pain if the knees, feet, and pedals are misaligned.

1. Chondromalacia

Pain under the kneecap.  Most chondromalacia sufferers can ride at some level no matter how sever the degeneration.

2. Patellar Tendonitis

Strain of the tendon which attaches the kneecap to the leg, this injury often occurs in the novice cyclist or early in the cycling season.  The first sign of a problem may be an ominous twinge after cycling in too hard a gear.

Cycling tips

Bike fit is key; have a professional check your fit and make bike modifications as needed.

Carefully choose the shoes you will wear in cycling.

Train properly using adequate warm-up and cool-down. If you are doing “too much, too soon” and start having pain, reduce training frequency, intensity, and time.

Pain is not normal and may indicate a medical condition. Seek medical attention from a sports medicine specialist.

Before beginning any exercise program, be sure to check with your physician.

-The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM)

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Blue Ridge Foot and Ankle Clinic
Charlottesville Podiatrist Location: 887 A Rio E Ct., Charlottesville VA, 22911 (434) 979-8116
Waynesboro Podiatrist Location: 417 S. Magnolia Waynesboro, VA 22980 540-949-5150

Blue Ridge Foot and Ankle Clinic has been a part of the Waynesboro and Charlottesville communities for over 20 years.  Podiatrists Dr. Kevin Murray and Dr. Stewart Chang offer services in sports podiatry, foot and ankle problems and diabetic foot care. Our friendly, accommodating team of Certified Podiatric Medical Assistants look forward to welcoming
you to our practice.