Flat vs High Arch
Flat feet and high arches are the two extremes of foot structure, influencing how your body absorbs shock and maintains alignment.
Flat feet and high arches are the two extremes of foot structure, influencing how your body absorbs shock and maintains alignment.
Flat feet offer more flexibility but less support, whereas high arches provide less natural shock absorption, leading each to different physical stresses.
To diagnose these conditions, we start by reviewing your medical history, assessing current symptoms, and performing a thorough foot examination with a gait analysis.
Flat Feet
Flat feet occur when the arch of the foot is flattened, leading to excessive pronation while standing. Ever noticed your footprints in the sand? If there's no arch visible, you might have flat feet!
Some people are born with flat feet, while others develop them over time (we call these Fallen Arches). Flat feet can be the result of injuries, tight tendons, or age related wear & tear.
Risks
Flat feet or fallen arches can cause a variety of issues including:
plantar fasciitis
plantar fibroma
neuromas
heel spurs
shin splints
ankle sprains
bunions
hammertoes
calluses
early arthritis
pain in the arches, knee, hip and lower back.
That's not a pretty list, right? The good news is that these things don't have to happen. Let's get you in for an appointment to avoid this litany of foot issues.
High Arches
High arch feet (pes cavus) feature an overly elevated arch that remains raised even when weight is applied. Due to the lack of natural shock absorption, they can lead to heel or ball-of-foot pain and supination (outward rolling).
Common symtoms include pain when standing, recurring calluses on the heel or ball of the foot, toe deformities such as hammertoes or claw toes, ankle instability and frequent ankle sprains.
High arches can be inhereted, or a result of neurological conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, muscular dystrophy, or spinal issues that can cause the arch to elevate over time.
Charcot Marie Tooth
Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) is type of muscular dystrophy, also called hereditary sensory neuropathy. This is a genetic condition that affects the muscles and nerves in the legs and sometimes hands.
If we suspect CMT, we will work with Dr. Mark Brooks to evaluate your neurological status and dependent on severity, may require bracing and surgical intervention as a last resort.
Treatments
To limit the problems that can be caused by flat or high arched feet, we can take steps to increase stability and even out how the foot bears weight.
Treatment options include orthotics that will support and protect the foot, and pads to relieve pressure. We can also recommend shoes that are best for people with high arches and address any problems that the high arch is causing. If the problem is severe or the arches appear to be increasing in height, surgery might be necessary.