High arches (pes cavus) are the excessive, fixed flexion of the arch of the foot.
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 an ankle sprain or fracture.
High arches can develop at any age and occur in one or both feet.
Causes of Foot Arch Pain
Causes
High-arched feet are most often an inherited structural deformity that is generally unrelated to any other health concern.
In some cases, pes cavus is secondary to neurologic conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), in which neuromuscular contractions draw the ball of the foot closer to the heel. CMT is believed to account for 50% of neurologically induced pes cavus.
Other causes includepost-stroke paralysis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, poliomyelitis, and muscular dystrophy.
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.
Symptoms
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:
- Metatarsalgia (pain and cramping in the ball of the foot)
- Lateral ankle instability, often causing twisting, tripping, and sprains
- Hammertoes (bent toes) or claw toes (clenched toes)
- Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tendon that runs between the heel and toes)
- Calluses on the ball, side, or heel of the foot
- Knee, hip, and low back pain
If symptoms persist, the condition may give rise to ankle arthritis, stress fractures, shin splints, or Achilles tendonitis.
Extra attention should be paid to people with diabetes, in whom excessive foot pressure may promote hard-to-treat ulcers.
Diagnosis
You can often self-diagnose high arches by wetting your foot and stepping on a piece of paper. A high-arched foot will leave a narrow point between the heel and ball of the foot. Typically, the foot would flatten, leaving a wider impression alongside the arch.
If a high arch causes pain or is causing you to trip or stumble, you will want to see a specialist known as a podiatrist who can evaluate your foot structure and check for any abnormalities in your gait. They'll look for characteristic features such as:
- Calluses
- Hammertoes
- Claw toes
- Abnormal wear on the outer heel or outer edge of your shoes
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 a neurologist to pinpoint the cause and nature of the disorder.
Treatment
The treatment of high arches can vary by the cause and severity of the condition. Efforts would be made to treat the disorder conservatively whenever possible.
Non-surgical options include:
- Custom orthotic devices are inserted into a shoe to correct the foot position and provide arch support. Doing so can improve stability and add much-needed cushioning to your foot.
- Ankle braces are used to stabilize wobbly ankles and prevent excessive supination while standing or walking.
- Physical therapy may be recommended to teach you stretching and strengthening techniques that help improve your muscle tone and tendon flexibility.
- Custom orthotic shoes can also be ordered if adequate footwear cannot be found elsewhere. While expensive, they are often a good solution for people wanting to avoid or delay surgery.
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 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-bearingbed 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:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Improper bone healing
- Painful hardware post-operation
- Improper wound healing (dehiscence), leading to further need for surgery
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Postoperative bleeding
- The formation of clots
- Reaction to general anesthesia
Be sure to 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.
Coping
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 theoutward 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 Arches
If you have high arches, always focus on shoes with:
- Thick but flexible soles
- Heels that are no more than one to two inches high
- A fuller (or even tapered) heel to increase stability
- A wider toe box in which you can spread your toes
- Laces you can loosen if you experience tendon pain near the shoe tongue
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.
A Word From Verywell
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.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to 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:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160077
Additional Reading
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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By Catherine Moyer, DPM
Catherine Moyer, DPM, is a podiatrist experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the foot and ankle.
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FAQs
Do people with high arches have more foot pain? ›
People with high arches may experience pain, and in some cases, permanent damage to their foot structure. There are several treatments available, including orthotics, splints, physical therapy and surgery.
What helps arch pain at home? ›- Rest Your Feet. If you have foot pain especially in your arch or plantar fascia area you need to rest your feet. ...
- Use Both Ice and Heat. ...
- Massage Your Arch. ...
- Perform Routine Stretches. ...
- Invest in New Footwear. ...
- Use Orthotic Insoles or Arch Inserts. ...
- Nighttime Splints. ...
- Foot Soaks.
This is because high arches put extra stress on your metatarsals, or midfoot bones, because your weight is concentrated on the ball of your foot. That can mean foot pain when standing, walking or running that, over time, can radiate to your ankle, knee, hip and back.
Is walking barefoot good for high arches? ›If you have high arches or flat arches (many people lean one way or the other), going barefoot can increase your chances of developing heel pain, or plantar fasciitis. Running or walking barefoot for long periods of time on hard surfaces can quickly put strain on your arch and wear down the fatty heel pad.
What is the best painkiller for foot pain? ›Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.
What cream is good for foot pain? ›- Creams.
- Aspercreme® Pain Relief Cream.
- Aspercreme® Pain Relief Cream with Lidocaine.
- Aspercreme® Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream For Foot Pain.
- Aspercreme® Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream For Foot Pain - Diabetic Skin.
Plantar fasciitis can typically take anywhere from 3-12 months to get better. But how fast you heal depends on your level of activity and how consistently you're using at-home treatments. But again, if you're not feeling relief, don't wait to get care. Make an appointment with a podiatrist.
Is cavus foot a disability? ›At the most recent VA examination, the VA examiner changed the diagnosis for service-connected disability to pes cavus with chronic plantar fasciitis. Pes cavus disability is rated under its separate criteria under DC 5278, claw foot (pes cavus) acquired. 38 C.F.R.
How do you stretch your high arches? ›- Get on your hands and knees on the floor. Keep your heels pointing up and the balls of your feet and your toes on the floor.
- Slowly sit back toward your ankles.
- If this is too hard, you can try doing it one leg at a time. ...
- Hold 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
Static neurological disorders that cause cavus foot include stroke, polio, cerebral palsy, spinal injury, and peroneal nerve injury. Progressive neurological disorders that can cause cavus foot include a spinal tumour, brain tumour, spinal cyst, muscular dystrophy, Friedreich's ataxia, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.
How do you massage the arch of your foot? ›
If you experience pain or tension in the arch of your foot, you may want to try an arch massage. This is done by holding the top of the foot in one hand and rubbing the length of the arch with the fingers of the other hand. Repeat this several times on each foot, going from the heel to the arch.
How do you tape your foot for arch support? ›Foot Arch Supportive Taping - YouTube
What is burning pain in arch of foot? ›What is Arch Pain? Arch pain, or strain, is most often felt as a burning sensation along the long arch of the foot. There are a number of possible causes for this pain, but the most common are structural problems of the foot and stretching of the plantar fascia that supports the foot.
What is the highest arch of the foot called? ›The medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, and the anterior transverse arch are the three arches of the human foot. These arches are shaped by the metatarsal and tarsal bones and braced by tendons and ligaments of the foot. Of the two longitudinal arches, the medial arch is the highest.
What are the symptoms of high arches in feet? ›Symptoms of Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
Hammertoes (bent toes) or claw toes (toes clenched like a fist) Calluses on the ball, side or heel of the foot. Pain when standing or walking. An unstable foot due to the heel tilting inward, which can lead to ankle sprains.
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.
Are Crocs good for plantar fasciitis? ›With this in mind, if your goal is to relieve pain in the heel of the foot, especially due to plantar fasciitis, wearing Crocs is a good choice. High arch Crocs are supportive and orthopedic, which makes them a popular choice for many.
Is high arch and high instep the same? ›If you have feet with a high arch or instep while standing, you have foot condition called Pes Cavus, also known as high arched feet. The arch, or instep, runs from the toes to the heel on the bottom of your foot.
Is Deep heat good for foot pain? ›Apply heat, cold or both to your feet. Usually, cold therapy using ice is recommended for acute injuries like a sprained ankle, or if you're experiencing swelling. Heat therapy, on the other hand, can be better for chronic foot pain, as it can help soothe stiff joints and relax muscles.
Can foot pain be related to heart problems? ›Burning or Swelling in the Feet
Sensations of burning or visible swelling could indicate kidney, heart or circulatory problems. Foot Pain and burning in the feet is an indication that your circulation is not functioning well.
Is Vicks VapoRub good for foot pain? ›
Using Vicks VapoRub on your feet may soothe tired, achy feet, but it won't help with cold symptoms like a stuffy nose or sinus congestion. In addition, you may apply too much VapoRub on your feet if you feel like it's not working.
What can I soak my feet in for pain? ›A warm Epsom salt foot bath can relieve sore muscles and reduce swelling in your feet. To make an Epsom foot bath, the Farmers' Almanac recommends adding one-half cup Epsom salt to a container of warm water large enough to submerge your feet. Soak your feet for around 20 minutes.
Is soaking feet in hot water good for plantar fasciitis? ›If you're looking to relieve foot pain after exercise or a day on your feet, it can help to apply heat first. A bath, shower or foot soak in warm water can loosen up the tissues.
What is it called when your arch hurts? ›Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the bottom of the heel, the arch or both areas. The condition comes on with inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligamentlike band on the bottom of the foot.
What does arch pain feel like? ›Arch pain can be present every day and can be consistently present, in that it interferes with day to day activity. It will often feel worse in bare feet or thongs or flat and flimsy shoes such as ballet flats. In extreme cases the pain can be excruciating and can cause burning and throbbing in bed at night.
Is arch pain always plantar fasciitis? ›While an individual with cavus foot may experience foot arch pain, it does not necessarily mean they are also experiencing plantar fasciitis. However, the two often go hand in hand. If you are experiencing cavus foot, work with a podiatrist who can determine a treatment that targets both conditions.
What ethnicity has high arches? ›Compared to whites, African Americans were more likely to have foot problems like flat feet or high arches.
Is cavus foot hereditary? ›An inherited disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common cause of cavus foot. But there is a long list of disorders that may cause the problem. Children who have muscular dystrophy (MD) and spina bifida, for example, are more likely than others to develop cavus foot in both feet.
Can high arches cause back pain? ›Generally a high arch foot-type is rigid and poor at shock absorbing. This means if the shock absorption or cushioning is not occurring at the level of the foot – it will get transferred all the way up to the lower back which may result in low back pain.
Does cavus foot get worse? ›Cavus foot that's caused by a neurological problem is likely to worsen with time. If it's caused by your genetics, it's likely to stay the same.
Is high arch hereditary? ›
High Arch Feet Problems
WebMD reports that high arch feet are inherited by 68% of women, and 20% of men. 99% of women under 60 with the disorder inherit it from their parents, as do 63% of men. Outside of genetics, cavus foot can be caused by a myriad of neurological disorders and other medical conditions.
Cavus foot reconstruction is performed to reduce pain and increase stability in the foot. It is indicated when conservative treatments including orthotics, shoe modifications, and bracing does not resolve the symptoms. Cavus foot reconstruction involves various surgical techniques.
What are the symptoms of high arches in feet? ›Symptoms of Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
Hammertoes (bent toes) or claw toes (toes clenched like a fist) Calluses on the ball, side or heel of the foot. Pain when standing or walking. An unstable foot due to the heel tilting inward, which can lead to ankle sprains.
- Get on your hands and knees on the floor. Keep your heels pointing up and the balls of your feet and your toes on the floor.
- Slowly sit back toward your ankles.
- If this is too hard, you can try doing it one leg at a time. ...
- Hold 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
If you experience pain or tension in the arch of your foot, you may want to try an arch massage. This is done by holding the top of the foot in one hand and rubbing the length of the arch with the fingers of the other hand. Repeat this several times on each foot, going from the heel to the arch.
What does arch pain feel like? ›When you have plantar fasciitis, you usually feel pain in the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. Some people describe the pain as feeling like a bruise or an ache. The pain tends to gradually go away once you begin walking around. With continued walking, the pain may return, but usually goes away after rest.
Are high arches a disability? ›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.
What neurological causes cavus foot? ›Static neurological disorders that cause cavus foot include stroke, polio, cerebral palsy, spinal injury, and peroneal nerve injury. Progressive neurological disorders that can cause cavus foot include a spinal tumour, brain tumour, spinal cyst, muscular dystrophy, Friedreich's ataxia, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.
Do high arches cause back pain? ›Generally a high arch foot-type is rigid and poor at shock absorbing. This means if the shock absorption or cushioning is not occurring at the level of the foot – it will get transferred all the way up to the lower back which may result in low back pain.
Is arch pain always plantar fasciitis? ›While an individual with cavus foot may experience foot arch pain, it does not necessarily mean they are also experiencing plantar fasciitis. However, the two often go hand in hand. If you are experiencing cavus foot, work with a podiatrist who can determine a treatment that targets both conditions.
Where is the trigger point for plantar fasciitis? ›
The trigger point that causes plantar pain is usually found on the inner side of the meatiest part of your calf. Sit resting your foot on the opposite knee and apply pressure with your thumbs around the area until you find a knot or tight spot.
Is heat good for plantar fasciitis? ›Is heat good for plantar fasciitis, too? Heat therapy helps increase circulation and blood flow, which can reduce cramping and stiffness. Heat can also loosen up the plantar fascia ligament, which can make stretching and massage more effective.
How do you give yourself a foot massage? ›Foot Massage Reflexology | Self Massage Feet - YouTube
What is the best painkiller for foot pain? ›Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.
How long does arch pain last? ›Plantar fasciitis can typically take anywhere from 3-12 months to get better. But how fast you heal depends on your level of activity and how consistently you're using at-home treatments. But again, if you're not feeling relief, don't wait to get care. Make an appointment with a podiatrist.
What is burning pain in arch of foot? ›What is Arch Pain? Arch pain, or strain, is most often felt as a burning sensation along the long arch of the foot. There are a number of possible causes for this pain, but the most common are structural problems of the foot and stretching of the plantar fascia that supports the foot.