A high foot arch, also known as pes cavus or cavus foot, is a common foot condition that is difficult to prevent. Unlike ankle sprains for broken bones, a high arch is generally hereditary, and symptoms appear at an early age. Some people live life without complications from a high foot arch, but others need intervention. Today, we take a closer look at high foot arches, and we discuss some treatment options.
Causes of High Arch
As we alluded to above, a high foot arch is typically hereditary, so you can thank Mom and Dad for your aching feet. Aside from inheriting the trait from a relative, high foot arches can be caused by neurological disorders or medical conditions. Some conditions that can lead to a high arch include:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Spina Bifida
- Polio
- Muscular Dystrophy
- A Stroke
Symptoms of a High Arch
High arches can generally be seen by the naked eye, but they are also identifiable by a few common symptoms. If you are dealing with any of the following symptoms, you may have an issue with your arches:
- Pain on the ball or heel of your foot
- Hammertoes or claw toes
- Calluses on the side, heel or ball of your foot
- Pain or discomfort while standing
- Ankle instability
- Loss of balance
Additionally, if you roll your ankle easily, it may be caused by an issue with your foot arch. Because your weight can’t be distributed as evenly, the ball and heel of your foot have to shoulder a bigger load, which can contribute to ankle sprains.
Treating High Foot Arches
High arches are generally treated with non-surgical methods, but surgery may be an option in some cases. Some common non-operative ways to help treat high foot arches include:
- Wearing different shoes with better cushioning
- Weight loss to decrease load bearing
- Custom orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Foot bracing
In the event that non-invasive techniques don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery for a high arch has three main goals – to alleviate pain, to increase stability and to compensate for any weakness in the foot. Your exact surgery depends on your condition, but your foot specialist may recommend ankle debridement, ligament stability surgery, or another related operation.