Late fall update

The fall weather has been perfect for riding.   Usually, we bike as late into the season as we can.  The year before last, we rode until Dec 15th.  Last season,  winter came calling earlier than usual, so the trike had it's hiatus early. This year we haven't been out on the roads or trails to enjoy the recent fair weather bonus.

I have had some foot problems off and on all season.  (actually,  for years.)  Numb toes while riding at times and pain in the balls of my feet after  long rides.  Switched  from Shimano clipless pedals to Egg Beater clipless pedals just before we did a group tour in June.  That gave me quite a bit of relief from numb feet toes, but as the season went on the problems slowly returned, and as they did, they seemed to be worse than before.

I had an appointment with a sports medicine podiatrist.  I was hoping that he could prescribe some orthotics to put in my biking shoes. Perhaps if the clips from my pedals weren't pushing into my feet so much, the pain would go away.  I had read of quite a few cyclist, on my favorite biking forum, that had tried stiff insoles, and gotten good results.  Earlier in the season, I had tried some, but didn't have much success.  Surely the sports medicine doctor could come up with something.  I knew he  was an athlete an d participated in triathlons, he was bound to have some ideas.

 Alas, that was not the case.  I was diagnosed with Morton's  Neuroma in both feet.  Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue
  between the second and third toes.  Scar tissue  forms around the nerve putting pressure on it and causing pain.  when I walk, it feels like I have a wadded up sock under the ball of each foot.  I also get "hot feet" and tingly toes, even when I am not out pedaling.

At first I thought that  the Morton's Neuromas  I have, are caused by bunions, which I have had for more years than I can remember.  My Mom had them too, in my case they were hereditary.  I will spare you, and not post a picture.  But I can tell you that I would never get a job as a foot model.  Finding shoes that fit  has been a problem for me for years and years.   It isn't easy to find a biking shoe in a EE width.  I wear Nashbar Sandals for riding and they work well for me because they have adjustable straps.  In cold weather I wear socks with them.

My foot Dr. set me straight, telling me that the neuroma's were likely cause by biking.  The pressure of the pedal pushing up into my foot causes swelling, and the swelling occurring over and over, causes scar tissue to form around the nerve.  That is what causes the pain.

When the pain keeps me from riding, that is SERIOUS.  The podiatrist gave me some little wedges to put in my biking sandals, but they seem to only make the pain worse.

Next step an MRI, which clearly showed the neuroma's and the location of them.  It only confirms what the Doctor has already told me, I  need surgery.  

Towards the end of this month, I am scheduled to have the bunion and the neuroma removed on my right foot.  After removing the bunion,  the Doctor will cut a wedge of bone,  out of my big toe to straighten it, and then put a titanium rod in, to hold my toe straight.  The rod will be removed after 6 months.  He will remove the sensory nerve that is causing all the pain.

From what I've read, the surgery can be painful to recover from, but at this point my feet are really interrupting the activities of my life, so I feel it is time to  do something about it,  it is time to move forward.  I will likely have the left foot done at the end of the biking season next year.

So until spring, I will leave you with a recap of a few of our favorite pictures from our rides this year.   Enjoy.  Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  Please tune in next spring to read about our adventures yet to come.