diabetic feet and cycling shoes

Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_

Dave wrote:
Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_


I wonder if you could improvise a stiff "insole insert" out of something
like Polycarbonate or even high density polyethylene sheets.
Thicknesses like 1/32 or 3/64 or up to 1/8 could stiffen up the shoe.

However, the problem could be more complicated than simply having a
stiff sole to spread out the reaction pressure in the front part of the
foot.

Do you have a nearby university with a biomechanics department?

On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 04:20:55 -0500, (Dave) wrote:

Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_

Hi, what do you do, with your everyday shoes?

If you don't have problems with the amputated area being sensitive,
then I would suggest trying a regular clipless cycling shoe. I use
Sidi Genius' and I don't tighten the strap closest to my toes, at all.
If you can secure your foot in place with the top strap, and somewhat
with the second strap, the foot should stay in place.

Use a clipless style that allows you to get the cleat as far back as
possible.

Not knowing what your actual limitations are, it is hard to make any
recommendations. I can tell you this, if you don't have a problem
where pressure,and/or friction, is putting you in pain. Then there
will be a way for you to ride.


Life is Good!
Jeff

Jeff Starr wrote:
On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 04:20:55 -0500, (Dave) wrote:

Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_

Hi, what do you do, with your everyday shoes?

If you don't have problems with the amputated area being sensitive,
then I would suggest trying a regular clipless cycling shoe. I use
Sidi Genius' and I don't tighten the strap closest to my toes, at all.
If you can secure your foot in place with the top strap, and somewhat
with the second strap, the foot should stay in place.

Use a clipless style that allows you to get the cleat as far back as
possible.

I had a bone spur removed from the base of a big toe. Pressure on the
end of that toe is bad news. The Sidi strap (both Genius III and IV,
close to the same thing) works very well to keep the foot from sliding
forward, while the toe box straps are quite loose. Second on the cleat
to the rear, too.
Clips/straps on the trash heap of history AFAIC. --D-y

Dave wrote:
Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_

Give Rocket7 : http://www.rocket7.com/ or D² Custom Footwear:
http://www.d2customfootwear.com/ a call. I'm pretty sure D² has made
shoes for special cases (from National Team riders to amputees), but
either shoul have some idea of where to go.

FWIW: I have custom insoles from Rocket7. They're very nice, even under
my size 13, B-width, diabetic (fortunately no neuropathy) feet.

Jeff

Thanks for all the ideas. I do live in Indianapolis so access to sports
medicine is readily available. I'm sure whatever happens I'll end up
buying two pairs of shoes unless I could get some made up special for
me. My feet are vastly different in size now and I can't afford to risk
another injury. The next one will cost me half a leg. As soon as I heal
I'll be in custom made diabetic walking shoes. The last time I was in
the pediatrist office he told me that one of the other people I'd seen
walking in the waiting room had an injury just exactly like mine and
they were in diabetic shoes. I couldn't guess who it was.

_Dave_

On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 23:35:49 -0500 in rec.bicycles.tech,
(Dave) wrote:

The last time I was in
the pediatrist office he told me that one of the other people I'd seen
walking in the waiting room had an injury just exactly like mine and
they were in diabetic shoes.

Have you asked him about having some kind of prosthetic made that
would work with whatever bike shoes you like for your other foot?
He might know of someone who could make you a custom one, or a
custom orthotic with a toe simulation cushion.

On 2005-09-01 20:02:32 -0700, "JeffWills" said:


Dave wrote:
Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_

Give Rocket7 : http://www.rocket7.com/ or D² Custom Footwear:
http://www.d2customfootwear.com/ a call. I'm pretty sure D² has made
shoes for special cases (from National Team riders to amputees), but
either shoul have some idea of where to go.

FWIW: I have custom insoles from Rocket7. They're very nice, even under
my size 13, B-width, diabetic (fortunately no neuropathy) feet.

I've used both... my preference goes to the D^2 shoes; their
construction quality is markedly higher. Downside is they are more
expensive -- while both are about $500 for the custom shoe, the D^2
charges a one-time $300 fee for the custom last.

Hi Dave,
I've made shoes for peopole with this sort of problem before. One guy
had the front third of both feet gone due to septic infections. I also
made shoes for a guy with partial amputations due to diabetic
complications. Give me a call if you want to talk about it.

Don Lamson
D2SHOE
970-328-6870
On Thu, 1 Sep 2005 04:20:55 -0500, (Dave) wrote:

Does anyone make custom cycling shoes that would allow a diabetic with a
trans-metatarsel amputation of the right foot to still ride. My foot dr
says there is an athletic shoe that may allow me to ride with clips and
straps but it's not really a cycling shoe.

A tran-metatarsel amputation means that all my toes are gone and the
foot is about 1/4 to 1/3 shorter than it used to be.

_Dave_

DON LAMSON
D² CUSTOM FOOTWEAR

824 Chambers Av. Suite A-3
PO Box 4989
Eagle, CO 81631

TEL 970-328-6870
FAX 970-328-6805
www.d2customfootwear.com

Dave wrote;
me. My feet are vastly different in size now and I can't afford to risk
another injury. The next one will cost me half a leg. As soon as I heal

Hi Dave,
Whatever the nature of your previous injury, your concern should
also include the type of bike you will be using. You have a high
probability of developing lower extremity pressure sores, falling off
bike if you use a DF (diamond frame), diabetic metabolic problems like
syncope (fainting), etc. You will do well getting evaluated for a rehab
type trike http://www.angletechcycles.com/bikes/specialneeds , possibly
with optional hand cranks to relieve foot pressure occasionally, or you
could retro fit one of the high quality production trikes (if needed?)
http://www.catrike.com . Look at reviews at http://bentrideronline.com
(forums their also); I love my Catrike Speed, it had me back on the
streets up from a traumatic trochanteric femoral fracture in less than
2 months an I'm now going faster than my 15-1/2 lb DF. An cripple old
lady could ride this "Turbo Wheelchair" and in fact many of them s/b
required (along with other bad drivers, especially driving-cell phone
users), as they endanger and cause even children from riding to school,
causing obesity and environmental toxins(pollution etc).
These people are real nice and provide a free catalog
http://hostelshoppe.com

CU. Mike.