Our Board-Certified Podiatrists Can Help Your High-Arch Foot Issues
If you’ve ever noticed that your feet look a bit different from most, you may have either high-arch or cavus foot. While both of these conditions can cause discomfort, feeling unbalanced on your feet, and difficulty performing everyday activities, understanding the differences between them can help you find relief.
How Does Our Podiatrists Diagnose High-Arch Foot Conditions?
Our board-certified podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney understand how painful and debilitating high arch issues can be. Whether you have high arch or cavus foot, our state-of-the-art imaging services can ensure that you are given an accurate diagnosis.
Our podiatrists typically begin by taking a complete medical history and conducting a physical exam, including a visual inspection of the foot and a foot-strength evaluation. Our podiatrists will also find the underlying reason for your high arch condition by performing X-rays, CT scans, or other imaging tests to help see the structure of your foot and check for any other problems. These conditions have the ability to cause damage to your bones, tendons, or ligaments of the foot and ankle due to the abnormal foot structure and higher risk of injury.
Conditions Related to an Abnormally High Arch
High-arch foot, or pes cavus, is a condition that causes the arch of the foot to be higher than normal. This can lead to an inability to properly distribute your weight with each step, resulting in pain and discomfort. It can also cause a variety of other issues and symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty in walking
- Pain and discomfort in the feet and ankles
- Numbness in the feet
- Development of calluses
- Increased risk of plantar fasciitis
- Instability in the foot
- Inability to properly distribute weight with each step
- Increased risk of ankle sprains
Getting the Right Treatment for Your High-Arch Foot Health with Professional Care
The treatment for both high arch and cavus foot is largely similar. Once your podiatrist has diagnosed the cause of your high arch and ruled out any other problems, you can begin a conservative treatment plan. Most patients find symptom relief after a few weeks with these treatment options.
- Anti-inflammatory medications and resting your foot to reduce inflammation.
- Orthotics, such as arch supports, can help to provide relief from the pain and discomfort associated with both conditions. It is important that your arch has enough support and cushioning to prevent pain when walking.
- Physical therapy can also help to strengthen the muscles in the foot, which can help to reduce the risk of further injury.
- Lifestyle changes to reduce strain on the arch.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying issue, especially if your bones, tendons, or ligaments of the foot and ankle have been damaged.