What is it?
This is a deformity that does not flatten when the one weight bears.The midfoot has a high arch placing significant pressures on the heel and front of the feet.It can occur in a small percentage of the normal population but quite frequently it is associated with neurological conditions.These include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifida, polio, muscular dystrophy or stroke just to mention a few. It is important to see your doctor so that they will begin investigations to see if any of these are present.A high arch foot may progressively worsen if the cause is due to a neurological disorder.
Symptoms
A person with a high arch foot may experience
- Hammertoes
- Callused areas under the feet or on the side of the feet
- Claw toes
- Recurrent ankle sprains due to abnormal
- Weakness of the foot especially if the musculature is affected from neurological or muscular disorders
What Should I do?
See your doctor immediately as a detailed examination is necessary to rule out neurological causes.They will look at your feet and toes and general posture.Power assessment of the muscles in the leg will need to be assessed. The flexibility of the ankle must be checked to see if the Achilles tendon is tight.
How can it be treated?
Nonsurgical Treatment
Specialists can provide you with insoles that can provide support and address possible biomechanical issues with your foot. These can be custom-made or over the counter depending on your needs.
- Orthotic devices. Orthotic devices that fit into the shoe can provide stability and cushioning to the foot.
- Shoe modifications. Tall shoes/boots add additional support to the ankle, and shoes with wide heels on the bottom add stability
- Bracing. The surgeon may recommend a brace to help keep the foot and ankle stable.
Surgical Treatment
If Nonsurgical treatment fails then surgery may be required especially if the patient experiences persistent pain, skin problems (calluses) or ankle instability. The aim of surgery is to provide the patient with a stable and pain free foot.Surgery may consist of :
- Breaking the bones and re-positioning them to recreate a normal arch
- Tendon Transfers to replace the non functioning or weak tendons
- Straightening the toes in cases where the patient may have hammer toes or claw toes
