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High Arch

Most feet have an arch along the inside that rises up between the heel and ball of the foot.

If the arch is flattened out or missing, that is called flat feet.

However, some people have just the opposite - arches that are unusually high. These are probably inherited.

Risks

High arches may not cause any pain or discomfort, but they can increase your risk of a variety of foot ailments. So it's important to get them checked out.

People with high arches frequently develop:

Symptoms

Sometimes people with high arches develop pressure points in their feet. These can be in the form of calluses under the big toe joint or the little toe joint. This is a sign that there is more weight bearing in these areas than there should be. Also, people with high arches may have difficulty fitting into most shoes.

Treatments

To limit the problems that can be caused by 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.

Charcot Marie Tooth

High arches can also be a symptom of a type of muscular dystrophy known as Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT), 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.