High Arches Can Lead to Pain

Got High Arches?

Do you have a history of frequent ankle sprains?  Do you feel unstable on uneven surfaces?  If so, you may have high arches.  Everyone is born with a certain foot type as it is often inherited.  Over time depending on your foot type – flatfeet or high arches – you are prone to certain conditions.  A high-arched foot is called pes cavus foot type and it is a condition causing the foot to be very rigid.  High arches are not able to absorb a lot of shock from the forces of weight bearing.  If you are involved in any type of sport, such as  basketball or soccer, or you are a runner, you have an even higher chance of developing certain conditions associated with high arches.
Ankle instability on the outside or lateral ankle is very common with high arched feet.  Any sudden twist or turn can cause the ankle to turn in or INVERT.  If the twist has enough energy it can lead to an acute lateral ankle sprain.  If the force is very high, then this can lead to an ankle fracture, which can require surgical repair of the fracture.
Stress fractures, especially of a bone called the fifth metatarsal, is another condition associated with high arched feet.  This is not caused by one specific injury rather it is due to repetitive use.  If you are on your feet a lot, you started a new activity or job, you started walking or running on a hard surface or if you are constantly on your feet for work ,you can develop this condition.  With stress fractures the hard outside bone called the cortex is intact though the inside of the bone is cracked.  These injuries do not always show on X-ray and if they do they are very subtle and can take 10-14 days to show up on the X-ray films.  Initial treatment is immobilization in a walking boot for 4-6 weeks.
Tendonitis, most commonly of the outside tendons called the personal tendons, is another common condition associated with high arches.  Tendonitis is swelling and pain of the tendon.  Initial treatment is temporary immobilization and physical therapy to strengthen the tendon.
Joint pain is another common condition where there is a lot of pain in the subtler joint .  This is the joint that lets your foot go side to side.  Cortisone or steroid injections can help with the acute pain.
Long-term treatment for all of these conditions is simple.  Customized orthotics (inserts) to functionally stabilize the foot to the ankle are essential to correct the root cause of the conditions.  Orthotics will functionally “straighten” out the high arches allowing for more pressure in the arch area and less on the outside lateral foot and ankle.  A softer semi-rigid orthotic is crucial for a high arch to provide shock absorption.   This will reduce the pressure off the outside of the foot to prevent the tendonitis, stress injuries, fractures and sprains most common with high arches.  Orthotics should also be utilized as prevention before a problem arises.  So if you, your child, or someone you know has high arches especially if that person is very active, you should visit your local podiatrist for a comprehensive foot evaluation.  You will be advised to get customized orthotics, a process done in the podiatrist’s office where an impression is made of your foot.