A pain in the balls of my feet (both)

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Its about nine months since I suffered nerve damage in both feet and hands.
I still have some swelling on right foot above the two little toes, but post ride I had no pain in feet, though I have been left with 30 % numbness in base of right foot.
That foot goes numb from poor circulation anyway, so its no biggy.
I seem also to have a permanent swelling on out side of right wrist, this (both hands) I still feel pain on the bike, and I am probably going to have to beef up on padding next long ride, I get pain on the turbo inside one hour.

[Jdsk]

PS. Bonus question - Is access to a medical foot expert through the usual GP channel ??

I've read the subsequent discussion about navigating the system, but I'm not sure that you've got what you needed.

The NHS route is through your GP, and very likely from there to a podiatrist. The podiatrist might be NHS employed or not but the care will still be NHS.

During the outbreak that will still work but:
* Initial contact with the GP is likely to be something other than face to face. The big shift has been to 'phone consultation rather than video.
* Any referral is likely to be delayed. GPs (and EDs) have been very quiet but many referrals just aren't happening. And there will be a massive backlog.

Usual advice on consultations: write down your story and your questions beforehand so that you don't forget anything.Take shoes etc along if you think that they're relevant.

Jonathan

[Debs]

The podiatry specialist did indeed phone me today...
and an appointment for the examination of my swollen left foot has been made for tomorrow at noon

[Graham]

Wow, that is quick. And a physical examination too. Good going : I hope it goes well.

I had some blood extracted at the doc surgery yesterday. That was an interesting experience :-

The intercom by the door was the point of initial contact, but this area had to be left clear by those queuing to await their invitation to go inside.
There was a parallel queue to get into the pharmacy opposite the surgery doors. => some chaos, close-proximity and frustration.

[Debs]

Wow, that is quick. And a physical examination too. Good going : I hope it goes well.

I had some blood extracted at the doc surgery yesterday. That was an interesting experience :-

The intercom by the door was the point of initial contact, but this area had to be left clear by those queuing to await their invitation to go inside.
There was a parallel queue to get into the pharmacy opposite the surgery doors. => some chaos, close-proximity and frustration.

My experience was interesting too, the specialist podiatrist was in full PPE rigger incognito, thought i'd walked into the Ebola ward by mistake...

Felt really sorry for the guy having to wear all that kit in this warm weather.

Long story short, no x-ray, no ultrasound, i like to think he was experienced enough to know there was no need.After a few minutes of prodding my left foot about, comparing it with the other foot, and asking questions he easily sussed out a stress fractured 4th Metatarsal - most probably done it about 6 weeks ago when i accidentally stepped on the vacuum cleaner plug, i'll never forget the pain of that miss-footing!

However the examination was holistic of the lower legs and feet, he also diagnosed short calf muscles, so typical of cyclists, so he taught me some easy stretching exercises to do.

The management of the 4th Met' bone is to alleviate the pressure from the area using carefully positioned insoles, which he made up for me, and also some sticky pads with cut-outs.. I also need two bowls of water, one cold, one warm, place left foot in each one for 10 seconds in turn, keep in up for 10 minutes, do it twice daily. This should get the blood circulating and help reduce swelling.

Barefoot in the house is no good for healing my poorly 4th Met' so i need to wear shoes with a good sole indoors too now.

He liked my cycle shoes, said it's alright to ride the bike if the foot feels comfortable. That pleased me to hear him say that!

<>

When will you know the result of the blood test?

Your experience reminded me of this guide to NHS and Private health care, i know i shouldn't laugh, i do love the NHS really

[youtube]PtKWhHnsh8Y[/youtube]

[Graham]

Thanks for the details of your experience. I think there are some clues for me within :-

Your significant event : stepping on the electrical plug.
My significant event : trying to wear some new shoes which hurt & did not yield during 3 * 45 minutes of walking.. ( I put them in a shoe recycling bin, prior to Covid lockdown. )

Encouraging circulation with contrasting temperature dips. . . . I have tried cold water dips - they seem to help. I'll try the contrasting temps now.

Meanwhile, I'll maintain ( pilates-style ) foot twirling exercises & massage ball on soles of feet.

I already have an extensive routine for calf-stretching, but will consider extending to hamstring and inner thigh.

Wishing you a speedy recovery . . . .

[Newbie2020]

I had this a couple of years ago in my first full year of longer cycles. It happened on long cycles and turned out to be the shoes I was wearing were a size too small. They were the same size as my trainers but on the long cycles my feet were swelling making the shoes tighter. New shoes a size bigger and problem solved!!

[Graham]

Thanks for that ^.

By chance, I bought a new pair of Exustar Stelvios to replace my existing much-battered pair. Same size. but it is clear that the new pair are going to hurt before yielding to a bit of stretch / wear.
Thus, I'm considering going up a size, which should give an opportunity to replace the provided inserts with something a bit softer + a bit more room to smooth over the top of the footplate.

My feet tend to shrink during a ride.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I have found that synthetic fabric expands with moisture, thats shoes and laces.
Leather will too but nothing matches that for support and comfort with walking (walking boots) walking shoes are better synthetic if the sole is stiff enough.
Shoes will never grow length with use only width.