What is a high arched foot?
How do arches develop?
Almost all babies are born with flat feet, which continues into childhood. Babies and children have flexible bones and joints, causing their feet to flatten when they stand.
But as children grow, their feet become less flexible. The tissues in the feet tighten and form an arch with the foot bones. Most people develop arches before age six. Your arches are usually about the same shape and size on both feet.
In some people, their feet develop higher-than-normal arches in the arch that runs from the toes to the heel on the bottom of the foot. The medical term for high arches is pes cavus, and it is the opposite of flat feet. High arches can appear in children, but usually create don't create problems until people get older.
Why are high arches a problem?
High foot arches are much less common than flat feet. They are usually caused by a nerve or bone condition. High arches, unlike flat feet, are often painful and can be a disability. They can also make it hard to fit into shoes.
When you have high arches, your feet can't absorb shock well when you walk or run. Over time, the stress on the ball and heel of the foot can cause pain in the feet, which can radiate up to your ankle, leg, thigh and hip. This pain comes from the high stress placed on the back of the foot when your heel strikes the floor.
People with high arches may need special shoes or insoles to help the shoes fit properly and give their feet enough support.
Symptoms
With high arches, when you stand, the inside of your foot looks hollow. Your body is bearing most of your weight on the heel and ball of your foot. Other symptoms of high arches may include:
- A hard time finding shoes that fit because of the curve of your foot
- Shortened foot length
- Foot pain from standing, running, or walking that may radiate upward to the angle, leg, thigh, and even hip
Causes
Diagnosis, Treatments, & Prevention
Diagnosis & Tests
You may need to see a doctor who specializes in the foot and ankle, called a podiatrist. Your doctor will do a physical exam of your feet and check to see how flexible they are. They will look at your feet as you stand. They may watch what your feet look like as you walk.
They may also do some tests on your foot bones or other areas where you may feel pain, including:
- X-rays of your feet or spine
- Electromyography
- Nerve conduction studies
- MRI on your spine
Treatments
High arches that are flexible may not need treatment. Many people can manage them and find relief with special corrective shoes or orthotic shoe inserts that cushion and support the sole.
Stretching the bottom of the foot can help to loosen the connective tissues that are too tight and bring relief. Your doctor may also show you special foot exercises that can help strengthen the muscles of the feet and ankles.
If you are overweight, losing weight may also help with foot pain by reducing the amount of weight your feet have to bear. Surgery may be used in severe cases to help flatten the foot. If you have nerve pain from your feet, you can work with a pain-management specialist to help manage the pain.