What are high arched feet?
Most people have an arch along the inner side of the foot, which creates a gap between the ground and the foot. People who have a pes cavus foot type (high arched feet) have a higher arch than normal.
People with high arched feet often experience foot pain due to the fact that they bear all of their weight on a small area of the foot (ie, the ball of the foot and the heel). This increased pressure and reduced stability can lead to other foot problems such as metatarsalgia, ankle sprains, and plantar fasciitis. People with high arched feet also often have difficulty finding shoes that fit well.
What causes high arched feet?
For most people with high arched feet this is simply their natural foot type. High arched feet can be hereditary or in some cases can be due to an underlying neurological problem.
How are high arched feet treated?
Treatment of high arched feet aims to distribute weight across a larger area of the foot to reduce pressure and increase stability of the foot. Custom orthotics are generally very effective in achieving this.
For good results, orthotics for high arched feet must conform closely to the arch of the foot. Unfortunately, many orthotics do not hug the arch of the foot closely and as such provide little pain relief. For this reason, custom orthotics are the preferred long-term treatment option for high arched feet.
If you have high arched feet, you will also benefit from advice on appropriate footwear to accommodate your custom orthotics. Entire Podiatry stock a range of footwear that is suitable for people with high arches.
