High-Arched Foot
Comprehensive information on the causes, symptoms, and most common treatments for excessive curvature of the foot arch.
Symptoms and Causes
High-arched foot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is higher than normal. This deformity causes abnormal weight distribution on the plantar surface, affecting both gait and standing posture.
According to its position in the sagittal plane, which is an imaginary anatomical cut dividing the body into two parts, it can be classified into three types:
- Anterior high-arched foot: the most common type. Traction muscles are imbalanced, resulting in vertically positioned metatarsals and clawed toes.
- Posterior high-arched foot: the triceps surae muscle running through the calf is paralyzed, and the Achilles tendon loses strength. Consequently, the heel is elevated (calcaneal verticalization) and the toes flex either upward or downward.
- Mixed high-arched foot: a combination of the above, causing deformity in both the forefoot (plantar flexion) and hindfoot (heel deviated inward).
The prognosis of high-arched foot depends on its severity and underlying cause. Generally, with appropriate treatment, it does not lead to serious complications.
Symptoms
High-arched foot may produce the following symptoms:
- Pain in the arch, toes, or heel
- Instability
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Gait abnormalities
- Toe cramps
- Calluses or corns on the sole, heel, or toes
- Muscle tension
Causes
High-arched foot can result from various causes:
- Neurological disorders: the most frequent, yet challenging to treat:
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: muscles are weaker and smaller than normal
- Cerebral palsy: may cause poor coordination or muscle weakness
- Spina bifida: malformation of the spine and spinal cord
- Muscular dystrophy
- Poliomyelitis
- Muscle imbalances: some muscles become weakened or overly dominant
- Trauma or injuries
- Genetic alterations inherited from parents
- Inadequate treatment of other foot pathologies
- Idiopathic high-arched foot: the underlying cause is unknown
Risk Factors
The risk of developing high-arched foot increases in the following situations:
- Genetic predisposition
- Untreated fractures of foot bones
- Injuries to the plantar fascia, the connective tissue running from the heel to the toes
- Neurological disorders as described above
- Muscle imbalances
Complications
The most frequent complications of high-arched foot include:
- Claw toes: toes contract due to hyperextension of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints
- Hammer toes: the toe flexes downward due to a defect in the proximal interphalangeal joint
- Chronic pain
- Ankle instability
- Joint stiffness
- Tendinitis
- Increased risk of sprains
Prevention
High-arched foot cannot always be prevented, but certain measures can reduce risk:
- Wear comfortable footwear that provides support, cushioning, and a proper fit. Avoid shoes that cause instability.
- Perform exercises to strengthen leg and foot muscles.
- Avoid high-impact sports such as running or jumping. Cycling, swimming, or walking is preferred.
Which Specialist Treats High-Arched Foot?
Depending on its characteristics, high-arched foot can be treated by specialists in podiatry or traumatology and orthopedic surgery.
Diagnosis
High-arched foot is diagnosed through several assessments:
- Physical examination: observation of foot anatomy, palpation to assess pain and flexibility, evaluation of the arch, gait analysis, and assessment of plantar support.
- Neurological evaluation: identifies potential nervous system abnormalities:
- Electromyography: measures electrical activity of muscles and nerve conduction velocity
- Nerve conduction studies: evaluate speed and efficiency of nerve signal transmission
- X-rays: provide images of internal foot structures to detect deformities or alterations in bone alignment
Treatment
High-arched foot can be managed in various ways depending on patient characteristics and symptom severity:
- Custom orthopedic insoles to distribute pressure evenly across the plantar surface
- Physiotherapy: both manual therapy and specific exercises improve foot function and alleviate pain
- Ankle orthoses: orthopedic supports that stabilize the foot
- Surgery: indicated when conservative treatments are ineffective. The procedure involves realignment of bones and tendon repositioning to restore foot stability
