What are the treatment options for high-arched feet?

High-arched feet, also called pes cavus, place more load through the heel and the ball of the foot and may make the foot less adaptable on uneven ground. Some people have no symptoms; others develop pressure areas, calluses, ankle instability, pain or difficulty finding comfortable shoes.

Assessment looks at standing alignment, walking pattern, flexibility, strength, sensation and footwear. The cause matters, particularly when the arch has changed recently or one foot is affected more than the other.

Choose shoes with a roomy toe box, cushioning and enough support for your activities. Custom Orthotics may spread pressure, improve contact with the ground and support balance; they should be fitted to your foot and introduced gradually.

Physiotherapy can target calf flexibility, foot and ankle strength, balance and movement control. A therapist may also suggest strategies for reducing rubbing and protecting callused areas. Avoid abruptly increasing running, jumping or long walks while pain is active, and check the skin regularly if sensation is reduced.

Arrange an assessment for repeated ankle sprains, worsening pain, ulcers or pressure sores, progressive weakness, new numbness or a rapidly changing arch. Seek prompt help for an infected wound, inability to bear weight or sudden loss of foot control. A changing pattern may require evaluation beyond footwear advice.

Ask what may be causing the arch shape, whether your shoes or Custom Orthotics need changing, which exercises are safe, whether Physiotherapy can improve balance, and which changes should prompt a neurological or orthopaedic review.