The High Arch – Problems and Solutions

What is a high arch?

The arch of the foot is the area between the ball of the foot (at the base of the toes) and the heel. In normal arches there is a gap between the ground and the foot along the midsection on the inside (big toe side) of the foot. This is known as your arc. When this gap is greater than the average gap, it is said to have a high arc. The medical name for having high arches is pes cavus.

Many people who have a high arch have ankles that turn slightly outward when standing. This gives the appearance of being bowlegged and can cause stress on other parts of your body from an altered approach to walking.

What problems are associated with a high arch?

You may feel arch pain, heel pain, ball of foot pain, knee pain, or even lower back pain. Feet with high arches generally don’t absorb shock properly, which can cause problems in any of these areas. Some people with high arches never develop these problems, but many do.

There is a thick fibrous band that runs across the arch from the heel bone to the forefoot called the plantar fascia. With high arched feet, when you step, it may be tight and you may experience a lot of pain through the arch and heel. This often happens first thing in the morning when you go down and stretch your plantar fascia. With high arches, the fascia is usually over-tightened, especially at night.

People with a high arch are more susceptible to ankle sprains and can also develop corns and calluses. They are generally at higher risk of stress fractures due to poor shock absorption when their feet hit the ground.

How do I know if I have a high arch?

For a simple test to see if you have a high arch, step on a dry surface with your wet foot. If the line that connects the heel to the ball of the foot is the same width as the rest of the foot, you most likely have flat feet. If the line is half the area, your arc is in a normal range. If the line is very thin, mostly to the outside of the foot (or the toe and heel area are not connected at all), you have a high arch.

See your doctor, pedortist, podiatrist, or other foot professional for an evaluation if you think you have high arches that are causing pain or problems.

What can I do with a high arch?

If you have foot pain and think it may be due to a high arch, see your doctor. He or she may prescribe arch supports (orthotics) to wear in your shoes. For a high arch, your orthotics will be designed to cushion the heel of your foot, help absorb shock, and distribute your weight more evenly as you walk.

If you have a high arch, your shoe choice is very important. Be sure to look for a shoe with good shock absorption capabilities. Shoes that don’t pinch your toes and have a stable heel are important. Lace-up shoes with a lot of room in the instep (the area across the top of the foot below the tongue of the shoe) tend to be better for feet with high arches. A good pair of running shoes would generally be the best option with all of these qualities.

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