Pes Cavus Foot Type

Pes cavus is a foot that has a very high arch. Often it is thought that a high arched foot is the best type of foot to have; however, a high arch can create just as many foot disorders as a foot without an arch (flat foot). Some of the results of pes cavus include claw toes, calluses, ankle arthritis, plantar fascitis, Achilles tendonitis and hammertoes. With a very high arch, the ball of the foot and the heel must absorb more pressure when walking, which leads to pain and instability or the feeling that the ankle is “giving in.” Cause Pes cavus may result from a neurological disorder, infectious disease or congenital deformity such as clubfoot, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or other dystrophies, Freidrich’s ataxia, polio, stroke, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or spina bifida. In some of these conditions, the condition will worsen. Symptoms may include dragging the affected foot because the muscles of the foot and ankle become weak, which occurs in some of the above-mentioned neurological disorders. When this happens, the foot dragging is called foot drop. Tripping may also occur. Treatment and Prevention Depending on the severity of the pes cavus, a brace may be needed. Whenever there are any type of arch problems with the foot, high arched orthotics or sensitive feet insoles are necessary. When these devices include heel support and arch supports, they can lessen the pain of the condition. Wide shoes and shoes with a high toe box will help prevent hammertoes and claw toes from developing. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the condition.