Arthritis in my ankle joint

[Margit]

Hi,

Been diagnosed with ankle arthritis. Just wondering if anyone has got the same? I'm only fourty and I'm quite in shock about it. Not sure how much cycling I can do in the future? I'm with and can cycle steep hills, but now I don't know what I can do. I normally do 150 miles each week it seems to be a bit of a problem now. If anyone has got the same experience can you advise please what have you done can't do any other tips?

[crossy]

I have a bit in my right ankle the only thing that really upsets it is spd pedals. My ankle doesn’t like the twisting out of the pedal even on the lowest setting. So I’ve fitted flat pedals with toe clips on so my feet don’t keep sliding off when it’s wet. I have spd pedals on my recumbent trike for safety reasons but I don’t need to unclip when I stop on that only when I get off it.

[Jdsk]

Welcome.

That's osteoarthritis rather than any other cause?

Do you have a physiotherapist to talk to?

...

Cycling is an excellent form of exercise for many people with musculoskeletal problems because you don't have to carry all of your weight through your legs. And there's a lot of tricks and technology that can help with specific problems, as crossy illustrates.

How is the pain or loss of mobility affecting your cycling at the moment?

Jonathan

[Margit]

I have a bit in my right ankle the only thing that really upsets it is spd pedals. My ankle doesn’t like the twisting out of the pedal even on the lowest setting. So I’ve fitted flat pedals with toe clips on so my feet don’t keep sliding off when it’s wet. I have spd pedals on my recumbent trike for safety reasons but I don’t need to unclip when I stop on that only when I get off it.

ok, I see. Thanks that's useful. All my bikes have spd's and I noticed my ankle is sore a bit when I'm going little faster. When I cycled on my town bike it was fine, perhaps worth giving it a thought. Do you mind asking me how much cycling can you do before you notice it starts to bother you?

[Margit]

Welcome.

That's osteoarthritis rather than any other cause?

Do you have a physiotherapist to talk to?

...

Cycling is an excellent form of exercise for many people with musculoskeletal problems because you don't have to carry all of your weight through your legs. And there's a lot of tricks and technology that can help with specific problems, as crossy illustrates.

How is the pain or loss of mobility affecting your cycling at the moment?

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, I had an X-ray only recently, and to be exact it is posttraumatic ankle arthritis. I'm seeing a specialist physio next week. The irony is that I'm a physio student (1st year) and yes I agree cycling and swimming are recommended. I'm just not sure how much I can do now without making it worse? I was able to cycle 3/4 days of hilly rides without any bother a few months ago. I may have to adjust it? I'm also (well maybe not anymore) a rower and rowing make it worse as I had a bad flare-up. I have a flare up now so I'm just resting, even walking hurts. I was told I have a mild OA but it doesn't feel like it at all due to decreased level of my activities!

[Jdsk]

Thanks

Until you get the specialist advice I'd recommend keeping as mobile as possible but not pushing through pain.

Usual advice on consultations: write down your questions in advance so that you don't forget anything.

And many patients are now able to stay in touch with healthcare professionals outside consultations. Ask if they're happy to communicate by email afterwards.

Jonathan

[Margit]

Thank you that's very helpful of you. Ok, I get to stay active but don't push through the pain and thanks re the advice for questions.

Thanks Margit

[crossy]

I’ve been doing audax up to 200km the only problem I had is, I had no toe clips feet got wet and were slipping off the pedals. I did try with spds after that and 100km but took me around 2 - 3 days to walk without limping. I release one foot when using spds the other stays on the pedal the trouble is the one I release is the one with arthritis. I’ve tried releasing the other one but my muscle memory gets confused with that had quite a few clipless falls from that. So I think I will stay with toe clips. I never tighten the straps on the pedals.

[Margit]

Thanks for sharing. It sounds encouraging that you can do so much, and how you describe it makes sense. I will give it a go. Yes, with the walking it sounds like me after rowing:(

[Bsteel]

It might be worth taking a look at the foot biomechanics whilst pedaling in case the foot position is aggravating the ankle.

[crossy]

You say you get more of a problem when you go faster. Maybe you are going farther and unclipping more, when you go shopping it will be a shorter distance and not unclipping so much.

[531colin]

I'm with Jonathan on this.....maintain as much mobility and fitness as you can without pain.
Pain is nature's way of telling you to take it easy!
Have a read of my DIY bike fit piece linked below.....its pretty basic, but then a lot of people make very basic mistakes!
from there, read everything you can written by Steve Hogg....
for starters......
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bi ... -position/
...caveat....most recreational/touring cyclists don't need the level of complication involving cleat wedging and shimming, tricky insoles, etc

[Margit]

Thanks so much. I actually cycle on my town bike (no cleets) and noticed I cycle with midfoot and no pain obviously - q very interesting concept

[Jon Lucas]

I don't have arthritis in my ankle, but have been diagnosed earlier this year with severe osteoarthritis in my toes on one foot (and I suspect now have it in both feet). I've found cycling is a bit painful (I haven't done any long distances) but far easier than walking, which can be very painful after short distances.

[Bsteel]

Thanks so much. I actually cycle on my town bike (no cleets) and noticed I cycle with midfoot and no pain obviously - q very interesting concept

Whilst being of the same mind as Colin

...caveat....most recreational/touring cyclists don't need the level of complication involving cleat wedging and shimming, tricky insoles, etc

I do find I struggle to maintain an arch on one foot when using cleated pedals so use an arch support. If I don't I find my knee tracks a little oddly, I assume due to the valgus collapsing along with the arch. This isn't as much of a problem on a large flat MTB pedal as I pedal more midfoot and suspect the larger platform allows my foot to maintain it's shape better. If I do shift to pedalling closer to the balls of the feet, again the foot collapses and effectively tries to pronate on the pedal.