The opposite of a flat foot, pes cavus is a condition where the feet have very high arches. Often there are no issues, but extra stress on the ball and heel can lead to pain and instability when walking. Sometimes inherited, pes cavus can also be a result of a neurologic disorder or other medical condition.
-
Symptoms
- Arch appears high, even when standing
- Pain when standing or walking
- Instability
- Toe deformities
- Calluses
-
Causes
Often pes cavus develops as a result of a neurologic disorder or other medical condition, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, polio, muscular dystrophy or a stroke.
In other cases it can be hereditary, or the result of a nerve trauma.
-
Treatments Non-Surgical
Depending on the cause of the high arches, non-surgical treatment may be enough to relieve pain.
Shoes with high tops to support the ankle or wide heels can help to support the foot and add stability, reducing the chance of ankle sprains. Likewise, orthotics can be placed inside the shoe to cushion the foot and provide further stability.
Bracing can also add stability to the foot and ankle and is also useful in cases of foot drop (where the foot is dragged when taking a step because of weakness in the muscles of the foot and ankle).
-
Treatments Surgical
In cases where the high arch causes severe pain or makes the ankle very unstable, surgery may be required to straighten the foot. Surgery can be quite major, and often multiple procedures may be required.
Soft tissue surgery – A release of the tendon in the ankle can help to correct deformities in the ankle joint. Alternatively, the lengthening of the calf muscle or Achilles tendon, or release of the plantar fascia can also help to normalise the arch.
Tendon Transfer – Moving a tendon from the back of the ankle to the top of the foot can help strengthen the foot and counteract foot drop. Likewise, moving a tendon can also help the foot to function better, releasing the pull on the foot that causes a high arch.
Bone surgery – Cutting and repositioning the bone (osteotomy) can help correct the deformity, as can a fusion (arthrodesis).
Find out more about how we can help treat High Arches
To find out more about how we can help treat your High Arches or for more information about Total Foot Surgery, contact us on 07449419401 or use our online contact form.
