High Arched Foot or pes cavus is a condition in which the foot has a very high arch. When standing with weight on the foot, the arch will appear higher. Because of this high arch, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when standing. When not standing the front half of the foot (forefoot) will appear to be dropped below the level of the rearfoot. It is important to remember that some people with a high arched foot have no problems at all.

Causes of High Arch Feet:

• High arch feet may just be a normal variant.
• Hereditary – High arched feet are usually inherited. If parents have high arches, there is a good chance their children will too.
• Neuromuscular disease – Cerebral palsy, Spina bifida, Muscular dystrophy, Polio, Stroke, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Spinal cord tumour.
• Idiopathic – arises from an unknown or uncertain cause.

Signs and Symptoms of High Arch Feet:

• Corns and calluses under the ball of the foot or toes.
• Shoe may not fit very well.
• Associated deformities – clawed toes, hammertoes, retracted toes.
• Pain / discomfort in the arch area, leg, back.
• The feet will feel stiffer and less mobile.
• A tendency to ankle sprains / lateral instability.
• Difficulty in shoes.
• Difficulty in walking.
• Stiffness in the foot.
• Tendency to ankle sprains / lateral instability.
• Very tight calf muscles at the lower leg.

Treatments vary, depending on the condition’s severity. In general, they include:

• Careful investigation is needed to rule out any neurological condition is causing the high arched foot.
• Removing corns and reducing calluses, they can be treated by a podiatrist.
• Proper fitting of footwear is important.
• Alleviating pain and supporting the foot with insoles, corrective shoes or custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics).
• Undergoing surgery on the soft tissues or bones to relieve pain.

If you would like to make an initial booking enquiry for a High Arched Feet assessment at the Walk IN Foot Clinic then please submit your details below with a preferred day and we will get back to you as soon as possible with a confirmation of your appointment or suggest an alernative.