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Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd.
6445 N. Central Ave. Chicago, IL 60646(773) 202-8800
5356 W. Addison St. Chicago, IL 60641773-696-4700
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High-Arched Foot

Our team of specialists and staff believe that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well being. For your personal use, we have created an extensive patient library covering an array of educational topics. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about topics of interest to you. Or, for a more comprehensive search of our entire Web site, enter your term(s) in the search bar provided.

As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.

What is Cavus Foot?
Cavus foot is a condition in which the foot has a very high arch. Because of this high arch, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when walking or standing. Cavus foot can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as pain and instability. It can develop at any age, and can occur in one or both feet.

 

Causes
Cavus foot is often caused by a neurologic disorder or other medical condition such as cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifida, polio, muscular dystrophy, or stroke. In other cases of cavus foot, the high arch may represent an inherited structural abnormality.

An accurate diagnosis is important because the underlying cause of cavus foot largely determines its future course. If the high arch is due to a neurologic disorder or other medical condition, it is likely to progressively worsen. On the other hand, cases of cavus foot that do not result from neurologic disorders usually do not change in appearance.

Symptoms
The arch of a cavus foot will appear high even when standing. In addition, one or more of the following symptoms may be present:

  • Hammertoes (bent toes) or claw toes (toes clenched like a fist)
  • Calluses on the ball, side, or heel of the foot
  • Pain when standing or walking
  • An unstable foot due to the heel tilting inward, which can lead to ankle sprains

Some people with cavus foot may also experience foot drop, a weakness of the muscles in the foot and ankle that results in dragging the foot when taking a step. Foot drop is usually a sign of an underlying neurologic condition.

cavus2Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cavus foot includes a review of the patient’s family history. The foot and ankle surgeon examines the foot, looking for a high arch and possible calluses, hammertoes, and claw toes. The foot is tested for muscle strength, and the patient’s walking pattern and coordination are observed. If a neurologic condition appears to be present, the entire limb may be examined. The surgeon may also study the pattern of wear on the patient's shoes.

X-rays are sometimes ordered to further assess the condition. In addition, the surgeon may refer the patient to a neurologist for a complete neurologic evaluation.

Non-Surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatment of cavus foot may include one or more of the following options:

  • Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices that fit into the shoe can be beneficial because they provide stability and cushioning to the foot.
  • Shoe modifications. High-topped shoes support the ankle, and shoes with heels a little wider on the bottom add stability.
  • Bracing. The surgeon may recommend a brace to help keep the foot and ankle stable. Bracing is also useful in managing foot drop.

When is Surgery Needed?
If non-surgical treatment fails to adequately relieve pain and improve stability, surgery may be needed to decrease pain, increase stability, and compensate for weakness in the foot.

The surgeon will choose the best surgical procedure or combination of procedures based on the patient’s individual case. In some cases where an underlying neurologic problem exists, surgery may be needed again in the future due to the progression of the disorder.


Patient Education

Patient Education Menu
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
  • Accessory Navicular Syndrome
  • Common Disorders of the Achilles Tendon
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
  • Ankle Arthritis
  • Ankle Fractures
  • Chronic Ankle Instability
  • Ankle Pain
  • Ankle Sprain
  • Arch Pain
  • Arch Supports
  • Athlete's Foot
  • Baseball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Basketball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Soft Tissue Biopsy
  • Black Toenails
  • Bone Healing
  • Bone Infection
  • Bone Tumors in the Foot
  • Brachymetararsia
  • Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)
  • Bursitis
  • Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever's Disease)
  • Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
  • Calf Pain
  • Callus
  • Capsulitis of the Second Toe
  • Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
  • Charcot Foot
  • Clubfoot
  • Cold Feet
  • Compartment Syndrome
  • Contact Dermatitis
  • Corns
  • Cracked Heels
  • Crutch Use
  • Custom Orthotic Devices
  • Cyst-Ganglion
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Dermatitis
  • Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
  • Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines
  • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Diabetic Shoes
  • Drop Foot
  • Dry Heels
  • DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
  • Eczema of the Foot
  • Equinus
  • Extra Bones
  • Fallen Arches
  • Field Hockey Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
  • Flatfoot-Adult Acquired
  • Flatfoot-Flexible
  • Flatfoot-Pediatric
  • Flexible Flatfoot
  • Foot Arthritis
  • Foot Bumps
  • Foot Drop
  • Foot Fracture
  • Foot Lumps
  • Foot Odor
  • Foot Rash
  • Football Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Fracture-Ankle
  • Fracture-Foot
  • Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
  • Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal
  • Fracture-Toe
  • Frostbite
  • Fungal Nails
  • Ganglion Cyst
  • Gangrene
  • Golf Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Gout
  • Haglund's Deformity
  • Hallux Rigidus
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Bone Fractures
  • Heel Cracks
  • Heel Fissures
  • Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
  • High-Arched Foot
  • Inflammation: Actue
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Instructions for Using Crutches
  • Intermetatarsal Neuroma
  • Intoeing
  • Joint Pain in the Foot
  • Joint Swelling in the Foot
  • Jones Fracture
  • Lacrosse Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Lisfranc Injuries
  • Lumps
  • Malignant Melanoma of the Foot
  • MRSA Infection of the Foot
  • Orthotics
  • Os Trigonum Syndrome
  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
  • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
  • Osteopenia
  • P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
  • Pediatric Flatfoot
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)
  • Peripheral Neuropathy: Diabetic
  • Peroneal Tendon Injuries
  • Pigeon-toes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Fibroma
  • Plantar Wart (Verruca Plantaris)
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
  • Pump Bump (Hallux Rigidus)
  • Puncture Wounds
  • Rash
  • Raynauds Phenomenon
  • Restless Legs
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
  • R.I.C.E Protocol
  • Rugby Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Running and Track Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Running Injuries
  • Sesamoid Injuries in the Foot
  • Shin Splints
  • Shoe Inserts
  • Skin Cancer of the Foot and Ankle
  • Smelly Feet
  • Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Soft Tissue Biopsy
  • Softball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Sports Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Staph Infections of the Foot
  • Stress Fracture in the Foot
  • Sweaty Feet
  • Swollen Ankles
  • Swollen Feet
  • Synovitis
  • Tailor's Bunion
  • Talar Dome Lesion
  • Tarsal Coalition
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Tennis Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Thick Toenails
  • Tingly Feet
  • Tired Feet
  • Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken Toes)
  • Toe Walking
  • Turf Toe
  • Ulcers/Wounds
  • Varicose Veins
  • Volleyball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
  • Warts
  • Weak Ankles
  • Webbed Toes
  • White Toenails
  • Wounds/Ulcers
  • Wounds-Puncture
  • Yellow Toenails

Our Location

6445 N. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 202-8800
5356 W. Addison St.
Chicago, IL 60641
773-696-4700

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Monday:10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday:10:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday:Closed

Office Hours - Addison
Monday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Thursday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM

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