High Arches

High arches are fairly common and may not need any intervention unless they cause pain, inflammation, or affect movement. If your high arches are causing you problems, visit one of our board-certified podiatrists for help!

High Arches

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Overview - High Arches

Many people have high arches in their feet. They are fairly common and may not ever need any type of intervention. That said, there are also cases of high arches (Cavus foot) that require medical attention, or at the very least, additional support. As your arches provide a base for good posture and help balance your weight and bone structure, arches that are too high may lead to structural problems in the body.

If you are suffering from pain, inflammation, or your movement is affected due to your arches, make an appointment with one of our board-certified podiatrists at University Foot and Ankle Institute.

Causes of High-Arched Foot

High arches can be genetic and run in families. They can also be caused by neurologic disorders or other medical conditions, like cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifida, polio, etc. The underlying cause of the high arch disorder has to be diagnosed to form an optimum treatment plan.

Symptoms of Cavus Foot

Chances are you already know if you have high arches or not from examining your own foot. We鈥檙e here to help you evaluate if your high arches are causing cavus foot.

If you have any of the following symptoms, call to meet with one of our board-certified podiatrists:

Pain in your feet when walking, standing, exercising, or playing sports.
Struggling to find shoes that fit well.
The length of your feet has gotten shorter.
Your toes are claw-like and bent.
Your heel tilts in, causing loss of balance.
Formation of callus on the ball of your foot, side, or heel.

If you鈥檙e unsure, we can perform evaluations at our office to determine the severity of your high arches.

Problems Caused by Cavus Foot

High arches, if they are severe, can cause painful foot conditions, as they affect your posture and gait. Some common foot problems and conditions include:

Plantar Fasciitis

Overuse or trauma to the plantar fascia, the band of ligament that connects the heel to the toes, can cause pain and inflammation. This condition is called plantar fasciitis. It is usually along the heel but can affect the bottom of the entire foot or the arch.

Metatarsalgia

This is a painful inflammation of the ball of the foot, which gets triggered when standing or walking and subsides when at rest. The pain can become worse over time and can cause a limp and compensation pain in other parts of the body, like the lower back or hips.

Claw Toes

This is a foot deformity where the toes take on a claw-like position and dig down into the soles of the shoes. It often affects the four smaller toes. Painful calluses can develop on the balls of the foot and top of the toes, which can cause foot pain and affect your gait.

Hammer Toe

Hammer toe is another foot deformity that can be caused by high arches. This usually affects the second, third, or fourth toes. The toe bends at the middle joint and in time, can become rigid and require surgery.

Foot and Ankle Instability

In people with high arches, one or both heels tilt toward the middle of the body causing foot and ankle instability, increasing the risk of ankle sprains.

Solutions for Your High Arches

No matter how mild or severe your high arches are, there are steps you can take now to prevent foot problems in the future.

Proper Shoes: It鈥檚 important to wear comfortable, proper shoes if you suffer from high arches. There is no one shoe that works best for anyone with a cavus foot. The main goal is to select a shoe that provides extra padding and support.
Orthotic devices/inserts: This is an easy way to give your feet the support they are lacking due to your high arches. A custom orthotic device (or shoe insert) will fill in the gap between your arch and your shoe. Our office can fit you for fully customized shoe inserts to support your feet better than any orthotic you can get from a store. Many folks with high arches and found that orthotics provide great pain relief. You can, too!
Physical Therapy: Meeting with a physical therapist can also help combat any future problems caused by high arches. Physical therapists can help strengthen your feet, ankles, and toes to help prevent injury. Ask your board-certified podiatrist for physical therapy exercises or for a local physical therapy clinic!

If the above solutions haven鈥檛 helped alleviate your pain, call our office to make an appointment! We will discuss your options and the possibility of surgery. However, surgery is only used for the most severe cases.

Conclusion

Most people with high arches won鈥檛 need medical interventions. However, for those with cavus feet, there are several treatment options to try. Proper footwear, orthotics, and/or physical therapy can help prevent the need for surgery.

If your arches are causing you pain, or your toes are starting to bend and curve, call us today to make an appointment! We鈥檒l get you in with one of our board-certified podiatrists to help keep you on your feet without pain.

FAQs - High Arches

How do you fix high arches?

The easiest way to support high arches is with custom orthotics. Orthotics can be inserted into your existing shoes to best support your arch to take the pressure off of the ball and heel of your foot. If conservative measures aren鈥檛 working, you may need physical therapy or corrective shoes. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

What is the downside of high arches?

When your arches are higher than normal, an excessive amount of your body weight is placed on the balls and heels of your feet. This extra stress can cause painful symptoms such as plantar fasciitis and claw or hammertoes.

Do feet with high arches need support?

Yes. No matter how high or low your arch is, everyone鈥檚 arches begin to collapse with age and wear. Those with high arches tend to require more support and they need it sooner than others. Insoles or custom orthotics are a great option to provide high arches with the support they need.