Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot) - Common Disorders

What is Cavus foot?

Pes cavus or high arched feet is a condition where the arch or instep of the foot is higher than normal.

 

Conditions: In some cases having a high arched foot may be asymptomatic. There are painful conditions associated with high arched feet. These include: corns, calluses, arch pain, sesamoiditis, hammer toes, claw toes, plantar fasciitis, unstable foot leading to ankle sprains, as well as knee, hip, and back pain.

 

Causes

High arches, in some instances is an inherited normal variant foot type like being born with flat feet. In other cases however, this foot type has also been associated with certain neurological conditions that include: Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Friedrich's Ataxia, Roussey Levy syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Polio, Muscular Dystrophy, and Stroke.

 

Treatment

Treatment for high arched feet really depends on the symptoms associated with this foot type. Short term relief for conditions associated with high arched feet may include sharp debridement of painful calluses and corns as well as padding and strapping. Also, the use of anti-inflammatories and steroid injections my also be used to treat pain associated with this condition. Custom molded orthotics as well as custom shoes can also be utilized to make the deformity more comfortable and in some cases surgery may be needed to correct the deformity.