04/17/2014    

PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE

Wedges Better Than Orthotics in Cycling Shoes: NJ Podiatrist

According to  podiatrist  Alan Shier, DPM, "Low volume or narrow feet have nothing to do with pronation. Cycling is a non-weight-bearing sport, except when standing on the pedals out of the saddle. Sidi makes shoes in narrow widths; it’s just a matter of who stocks them. Also, what I do for some cyclists in order to determine cleat position is to x-ray the feet in the shoe and put metal markers on the shoe. This makes it easy to exactly determine where the “ball” of the foot sits over the cleat. Choosing a pedal with a higher degree of float will also compensate for the biomechanics of the foot, knee, and hip." 

 

Dr. Alan Shier

 

Also, says Dr. Shier, "Rather than using orthotics, which are truly an ambulatory device designed to control excessive motion in the weight-bearing foot, I will use the bike fit wedges to compensate for the forefoot varus. The forefoot valgus foot is rarer. If someone is lucky enough to find a podiatrist who rides, he or she can surely be of assistance."

 

Source: Velo News [4/15/14]