Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
High-arched feet, also known as cavus foot, refers to a condition in which the foot arch is raised more than normal.
While weight-bearing stress is typically distributed across the entire foot in people with normal arches, those with high arches carry their weight mainly on the heels, the lateral column of the foot (the entire side of the foot along the pinky toe area), and the balls of the feet. This places undue stress on the toes and ankles, leading to pain and instability.
Since a high-arched foot lacks the flexibility to absorb shock, it will tend to roll outward (supinate) as the foot rolls through a step. This can increase the risk of anankle sprainor fracture. High arches can develop at any age and occur in one or both feet.
This article describes the symptoms and causes of high arches. It also explains how high-arched feet are diagnosed and what can be done to fix or manage the condition.
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What Are the Symptoms of Arched Feet?
High arches do not cause symptoms in all people but can often develop with age as compressed bones begin to fuse or misalign. If and when symptoms develop, they typically include:
If symptoms persist, the condition may give rise to ankle arthritis, stress fractures, shin splints, or Achilles tendonitis.
Extra attention should be paid topeople with diabetes, in whom excessive foot pressure may promote hard-to-treat ulcers.
What Are the Causes of Arched Feet?
High-arched feet are most often an inherited structural deformity that is generally unrelated to any other health concern. This includes conditions such as:
While all of these cases can result in significant pain and impairment, those with a neurologic cause tend to progress faster and require more in the way of medical attention.
How Are Arched Feet Diagnosed?
If a high arch causes pain or causes you to trip or stumble, you will want to see a specialist known as apodiatristwho can evaluate your foot structure and check for any abnormalities in your gait. They’ll look for characteristic features such as:
In addition to a physical exam, the doctor will want information about your current health, medical history, and family history to help assess whether the cause is structural or neurologic.
X-rays may be ordered to support the diagnosis. If needed, you may be referred to aneurologistto pinpoint the cause and nature of the disorder.
How Are Arched Feet Treated?
Non-surgical options include:
If conservative therapy fails to provide relief, surgery may be explored (generally if the pain is extreme and affecting your ability to move about).
No single procedure is appropriate for all situations, and multiple procedures may be needed to achieve the desired result. Surgical options may include the following.
Plantar Fascia Release
The contracted tendon between the heel and ball of the foot is partially cut to release the tension.
It’s typically performed as an open operation and requires a plaster cast to help the foot heal in the right position. Recovery takes around four to six weeks.
All About Plantar Fascia Surgery
Tendon Transfer Surgery
A tendon is shifted from its original position to a new one to release tension and improve mobility. It is not a transplant; instead, the tendon is simply moved.
It’s performed as open surgery, requires casting, and recovery time is up to eight weeks of recovery time (including four weeks of non-weight-bearing bed rest). It is also likely to require aggressive and difficult physical therapy afterward to re-educate the muscle.
Osteotomy
An open surgical procedure in which a bone is cut to shorten it, lengthen it, or change its alignment.
When used to correct a high arch, it’s most often used to reposition the heel bone (calcaneus). Screws and wires hold the realigned bones in place. Recovery time is around six weeks.
Osteotomy: An Option for Joint Surgery
Arthrodesis
An open surgical technique in which adjacent bones are moved and fused together to increase stability.
Arthrodesis is typically used when there’s either severe rigidity in the arch or rapid deterioration of the arch structure. Depending on the location, the recovery time (with casting) can take anywhere from four to nine weeks.
Arthrodesis: Fusing a Joint
Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks, including:
Speak with your surgeon so you fully understand the benefits and risks of the procedure as well as the recovery time and pain control options.
In cases where an underlying neurologic problem exists, surgery may be needed again in the future due to the progression of the disease.
The primary challenge of living with high arches is finding the right shoe to support your foot and distribute your body weight evenly.
Oftentimes, the options found in regular shoe stores are far too shallow and promote rather than correct the outward sway of your ankles.
Moreover, because high-arch feet don’t absorb shock well, hard-soled shoes may not only increase pain but transfer stress to the knees and hips.
To overcome these problems, invest in a pair of shoes that are properly fitted to your foot. If custom-made shoes are not in your budget, try visiting a specialty running shoe store, which is more likely to conduct a comprehensive foot analysis.
By finding a pair of shoes that provide optimal support and comfort, you will better understand what to look for in other shoes.
Shoes for High ArchesIf you have high arches, always focus on shoes with:Thick but flexible solesHeels that are no more than one to two inches highA fuller (or even tapered) heel to increase stabilityA wider toe box in which you can spread your toesLaces you can loosen if you experience tendon pain near the shoe tongue
Shoes for High Arches
If you have high arches, always focus on shoes with:Thick but flexible solesHeels that are no more than one to two inches highA fuller (or even tapered) heel to increase stabilityA wider toe box in which you can spread your toesLaces you can loosen if you experience tendon pain near the shoe tongue
If you have high arches, always focus on shoes with:
High-topped shoes or ankle boots can offer extra ankle support.
If a shoe doesn’t offer enough support, you can usually find three-dimensional arch inserts at larger drugstores. Retailers like FootBalance make reasonably priced custom orthotics you can switch between shoes.
To prevent toe clenching, purchase a set of inexpensive neoprene or foam toe spacers that you can wear underneath your socks and shoes.
Summary
If you have high arches, never ignore foot pain. By seeing a podiatrist early, you can keep your symptoms from getting worse and even correct structural abnormalities in your gait before they affect other joints. This condition can be managed using orthotic devices, foot pads, braces, and OTC pain medication. In some cases, surgery may be required.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Maynou C, Szymanski C, Thiounn A.The adult cavus foot.EFORT Open Rev. 2017;2(5):221–229. Published 2017 May 11. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160077University of Florida Health.High arch.Williams DSB, Tierney RN, Butler RJ.Increased medial longitudinal arch mobility, lower extremity kinematics, and ground reaction forces in high-arched runners.Journal of Athletic Training. 2014;49(3):290-296. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.05National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Spina bifida.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Cerebral palsy.MedlinePlus.Clubfoot.Qin B, Wu S, Zhang H.Evaluation and management of cavus foot in adults: a narrative review.JCM. 2022;11(13):3679. doi:10.3390/jcm11133679Visser HJ, Wolfe J, Kouri R, Aviles R.Neurologic conditions associated with cavus foot deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. 2021;38(3):323-342. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2021.03.001Additional ReadingMcGlamry, E. and Southerland, J.McGlamry’s comprehensive textbook of foot and ankle surgery. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Maynou C, Szymanski C, Thiounn A.The adult cavus foot.EFORT Open Rev. 2017;2(5):221–229. Published 2017 May 11. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160077University of Florida Health.High arch.Williams DSB, Tierney RN, Butler RJ.Increased medial longitudinal arch mobility, lower extremity kinematics, and ground reaction forces in high-arched runners.Journal of Athletic Training. 2014;49(3):290-296. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.05National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Spina bifida.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Cerebral palsy.MedlinePlus.Clubfoot.Qin B, Wu S, Zhang H.Evaluation and management of cavus foot in adults: a narrative review.JCM. 2022;11(13):3679. doi:10.3390/jcm11133679Visser HJ, Wolfe J, Kouri R, Aviles R.Neurologic conditions associated with cavus foot deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. 2021;38(3):323-342. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2021.03.001Additional ReadingMcGlamry, E. and Southerland, J.McGlamry’s comprehensive textbook of foot and ankle surgery. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Maynou C, Szymanski C, Thiounn A.The adult cavus foot.EFORT Open Rev. 2017;2(5):221–229. Published 2017 May 11. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160077University of Florida Health.High arch.Williams DSB, Tierney RN, Butler RJ.Increased medial longitudinal arch mobility, lower extremity kinematics, and ground reaction forces in high-arched runners.Journal of Athletic Training. 2014;49(3):290-296. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.05National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Spina bifida.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Cerebral palsy.MedlinePlus.Clubfoot.Qin B, Wu S, Zhang H.Evaluation and management of cavus foot in adults: a narrative review.JCM. 2022;11(13):3679. doi:10.3390/jcm11133679Visser HJ, Wolfe J, Kouri R, Aviles R.Neurologic conditions associated with cavus foot deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. 2021;38(3):323-342. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2021.03.001
Maynou C, Szymanski C, Thiounn A.The adult cavus foot.EFORT Open Rev. 2017;2(5):221–229. Published 2017 May 11. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160077
University of Florida Health.High arch.
Williams DSB, Tierney RN, Butler RJ.Increased medial longitudinal arch mobility, lower extremity kinematics, and ground reaction forces in high-arched runners.Journal of Athletic Training. 2014;49(3):290-296. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.05
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Spina bifida.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Cerebral palsy.
MedlinePlus.Clubfoot.
Qin B, Wu S, Zhang H.Evaluation and management of cavus foot in adults: a narrative review.JCM. 2022;11(13):3679. doi:10.3390/jcm11133679
Visser HJ, Wolfe J, Kouri R, Aviles R.Neurologic conditions associated with cavus foot deformity.Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. 2021;38(3):323-342. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2021.03.001
McGlamry, E. and Southerland, J.McGlamry’s comprehensive textbook of foot and ankle surgery. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
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