Pes cavus, which is also known as high-arched foot, is characterized by an excessively elevated arch on the inside of the foot. When the person is standing, most of the weight is on the back and the ball of the foot.
High arched feet can be idiopathic, which means there is no known cause. It can also be associated with neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal tumor, Charcot Marie Tooth disease, poliomyelitis and Friedreich's ataxia.
If you have high-arched feet, you may weight bear more on the outside of your feet. There may be ankle instability or a tendency for ankle sprains. You may also have hard, thickened skin or experience pain on the balls of your feet.
You should wear appropriate and well-structured footwear such as sports shoes or shoes with a firm heel counter that will provide stability for your feet. A high arch structure can cause more pressure to be exerted on the ball and the heel of the foot. For this reason, runners with high arched feet should avoid running barefoot to reduce the risk of injury. You should see a health care provider or a podiatrist if you are having pain in your feet for a proper assessment.
A thorough physical and gait assessment will be performed to determine the cause of high arch feet. Footwear recommendations and insoles may be prescribed.
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