Question Permanent big toe numbness?

[AlbionJackal]

Luckily, I've never suffered from numbness of any kind on road or off road.

However, I've just returned from an extended 750km backpacking trip to Mexico. After the 2nd day, I experienced numbness in both my big toes, potentially caused by new -ish cycling shoes and badly positioned cleats.

The trouble is 4 weeks on and it still hasn't cleared up. I've heard of foot pain and numbness during a ride but I would have thought that removing the shoes and not riding would have cured the problem.

Anyone out there ever experience the same?

 

[JayKosta]

Check the toes to determine if they are actually cold or of a different color. That might indicate a blood flow problem.
Can you move the toes? Can you feel the toes when you press with finger or needle?
Can you use the toes for balance when standing barefoot on one leg?

 

[AlbionJackal]

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.

The toes can be moved and are a normal colour but it's the sensation I get when I press the toes, either against the floor or with my hand, that's not.

The feeling in both toes is deadened somewhat, especially to the outer side. It feels as though there is definite nerve damage. The left more than the right.

When not touched but moving them, there is a slight tingling sensation but nothing out of the normal.

I've googled everywhere and if it helps others, lightly pressing on a firm knobbly massage ball, carefully opening out the metatarsals beyond the ball of the foot seems to help momentarily.

It could be that wearing nothing other than the same cycling shoes for nearly two weeks, I may have compressed the nerves sufficiently to cause medium term damage but it would be helpful to hear if others have had this problem.

 

[AlbionJackal]

Thanks.

I'll give it a couple more weeks and see.

 

[JayKosta]

Hopefully it is nothing more than inflamed / irritated tissue around nerves - and will heal with a little more time (and not doing activities that will made it worse).

 

[AlbionJackal]

Yes. Thanks for that sentiment.

It was a pretty intense expedition and so some sort of injury isn't beyond the realms of possibility.

I'm doing the Jordan Bike Trail in November so have time to rest it.

It's just hard to know whether rest or exercise will help and I'm not in a position to seek medical assistance beyond consulting the Internet!

 

[JayKosta]

...
It's just hard to know whether rest or exercise will help ...

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I would limit exercise to low intensity - just enough to stimulate blood flow, with no attempt to increase strength of the foot or toe.

 

[AlbionJackal]

Just for the record, the numbness in both toes has subsided now, 8 weeks after.

It does seem as though I damaged the nerves, either through the constant use of cycling shoes over two weeks or badly positioned cleats.

Strangely, the numbness seemed to clear up on my return to cycling a couple of weeks ago.

 

[limkangyoung]

I had a similar problem with tight shoes. I also had blisters on my big toe. Comfortable shoes are very important!

 

[limkangyoung]

If it's not a long trip - I go out once a day for about an hour and try not to think about anything at all. It's a kind of meditation!

 

[AlbionJackal]

I had a similar problem with tight shoes. I also had blisters on my big toe. Comfortable shoes are very important!

Yes... it's starting to go now but has taken ages to get the proper feeling back.