Biking is a low-impact cardiovascular exercise that puts minimal stress on the bones and joints of your body. However, overdoing it on a bike ride or wearing improper footwear can damage your feet, which are the contact point with the bike's pedals. Condition yourself by starting out slowly, then gradually increasing the length of your rides as you grow stronger. Cross-training shoes or combination cycling-hiking shoes meet the needs of the casual biker, while more advanced riders need cycling-specific shoes.
Sesamoiditis
The stress of cycling can rupture or inflame your sesamoids, two small bones on the underside of your foot, right by your big toe. These kernel-sized bones help your feet bear the weight of your body. Symptoms include pain focused right under your big toe, as well as bruising, swelling and difficulty bending and straightening your toe. Treat the condition with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications. Well-fitting shoes and doctor-recommended orthopedic inserts can often prevent the condition from recurring.
Numb Feet
Tight shoes that compress the nerves between your toes can cause tingling, swelling and numbness in your feet. This condition can also cause burning pain in the ball of the foot. Alleviate the problem by loosening your toe straps or shoe laces, and by selecting wider shoes. Using a clipless pedaling system can also help prevent numb feet. Numbness and tingling that extend up into your legs can indicate acute compartment syndrome, a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition occurs when the band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot, the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. The most noticeable symptom is sharp, stabbing pain in the morning with your first steps, which fades away when your feet warm up. It might recur during your bike ride or when you stand for long periods of time. Your doctor can recommend medications, such as corticosteroids, and physical therapy exercises to treat the condition. He might also suggest orthotic inserts to help protect your feet from stress impact on bike rides.
Metatarsal Fractures
The repetitive impact of cycling can cause tiny, hairline breaks in your metatarsal bones -- the long bones of your midfoot. Improper footwear can also contribute to these breaks. Stress fractures cause foot pain both during and after your ride. You might also experience swelling, and pinpoint pain when you touch the injured area. Stress fractures require medical treatment to prevent more serious complications, such as chronic pain, deformity and arthritis.
References
- American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine: Cycling And Your Feet
- American Family Physician: Bicycle-Related Injuries; Matthew J. Thompson and Frederick Rivara; May 15, 2001
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Sesamoiditis
- MayoClinic.com: Plantar Fasciitis
- FootHealthFacts.com: Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken toes)
