S
Steve Christens
Guest
This past year I have developed a type of heel pain known as plantar faciitis, also known as heel
spur syndrome. The symptom is terrible pain in the heel when first getting out of bed in the
morning, but the pain goes away as you warm up and stretch the leg. The pain is inflamation of the
plantar fascia, a connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. The cause is a bit vague,
but can involve overuse and possibly a muscle mis-alignment, though not usually impact (as with
running). There isn't really a cure, other than lots of stretching, which is quite literally a pain.
The cycling connection is that in my case the pain is exacerbated by cycling. Which I sort of
figured it had to be, since the only thing I do other than cycle 200 miles a week is sit at a
computer all day. Like many of us I had mounted my cleats quite far back on the sole of the shoe to
help combat numb feet. Well, I have come to appreciate that this may be the source of my problem.
With the cleat mounted that far back, the spindle is pressing on the middle of the fascia,
stretching it with every pedal stroke. I have just tried mounting the cleat further forward so that
it matches the typical rodie position of being right over the ball of my foot. Its a bit early to
say for sure, but I do think this this may reduce the pressure on the fascia, since it places the
force on the end, not the middle, of the fascia. So far the irritation is quite a bit less, and numb
foot has not yet reared it head.
So I was just wondering whether any other bent riders had been through this problem. If you have,
you might consider your cleat position as one of the factors.
Steve Christensen Midland, MI
spur syndrome. The symptom is terrible pain in the heel when first getting out of bed in the
morning, but the pain goes away as you warm up and stretch the leg. The pain is inflamation of the
plantar fascia, a connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. The cause is a bit vague,
but can involve overuse and possibly a muscle mis-alignment, though not usually impact (as with
running). There isn't really a cure, other than lots of stretching, which is quite literally a pain.
The cycling connection is that in my case the pain is exacerbated by cycling. Which I sort of
figured it had to be, since the only thing I do other than cycle 200 miles a week is sit at a
computer all day. Like many of us I had mounted my cleats quite far back on the sole of the shoe to
help combat numb feet. Well, I have come to appreciate that this may be the source of my problem.
With the cleat mounted that far back, the spindle is pressing on the middle of the fascia,
stretching it with every pedal stroke. I have just tried mounting the cleat further forward so that
it matches the typical rodie position of being right over the ball of my foot. Its a bit early to
say for sure, but I do think this this may reduce the pressure on the fascia, since it places the
force on the end, not the middle, of the fascia. So far the irritation is quite a bit less, and numb
foot has not yet reared it head.
So I was just wondering whether any other bent riders had been through this problem. If you have,
you might consider your cleat position as one of the factors.
Steve Christensen Midland, MI