How to Know If You Have High-Arched Feet (Pes Cavus)?

Written By Riccardo The Body Lab

The Body Lab Canberra High Arch Feet Assessment

A high-arched foot (pes cavus) is a condition where the medial longitudinal arch is excessively high, leading to biomechanical challenges and increased stress on the foot and lower body. Identifying whether you have high arches is crucial for managing potential discomfort and preventing long-term complications.

 

Signs and Symptoms of High-Arched Feet

Individuals with high-arched feet may experience the following:

- High arch visibly present when standing – The midfoot appears significantly raised.

- Heel and forefoot bear excessive pressure– Leading to pain and calluses.

- Frequent ankle sprains or instability – Due to excessive supination.

- Chronic foot, knee, or back pain – As weight distribution is compromised.

- Clawed or hammer toes – From increased forefoot pressure.

- Difficulty balancing on uneven surfaces – Due to reduced ground contact.

- Limited shock absorption and stiff midfoot – Resulting in increased impact stress on joints.

 

Self-Assessment Tests for High Arches

1. Wet Foot Test

How to Perform:

1. Wet the bottom of your foot.

2. Step onto a dry surface (paper, concrete, or tile floor).

3. Analyse your footprint:

   - Normal Arch: Some midfoot contact.

   - Flat Foot: Full foot contact.

   - High Arch: A very narrow connection between the heel and forefoot, or no midfoot contact.

2. Standing Test

How to Perform:

- Stand naturally in front of a mirror.

- Observe whether your midfoot remains lifted significantly off the ground.

- If the foot barely touches the ground between the heel and forefoot, this indicates a high arch.

3. Foot Posture Index (FPI) Check

A high-arched foot typically presents with:

- Heel tilting inward (inverted calcaneus).

- High instep with minimal midfoot contact.

- Clawed toes due to forefoot pressure.

4. Arch Index Measurement

- The Arch Index (AI) classifies foot arch height based on footprint analysis.

- A lower Arch Index (<0.21) suggests a high arch (Cavanagh & Rodgers, 1987).

5. Navicular Drop Test

- Measures the mobility of the navicular bone during weight-bearing.

- A high-arched foot shows minimal navicular drop, indicating rigidity (Brody, 1982).

 

Clinical Assessments for High-Arched Feet

If self-tests indicate a high arch, I can conduct:

- X-ray imaging analysis– To evaluate Meary’s Angle (Burns et al., 2005).

- Plantar pressure tests – To analyse weight distribution (Kelly et al., 2014).

- Gait analysis and movement assessments – To assess compensatory movement patterns and provide tailored interventions.

Research Findings on High Arches

- Burns et al. (2005) found that pes cavus increases plantar pressure on the heel and forefoot, leading to foot pain.

- Buldt et al. (2018) reported that high-arched individuals have reduced pronation, leading to instability and overuse injuries.

- McPoil et al. (2009) concluded that high arches result in poor impact absorption, increasing stress on the lower limbs.

 

When to Seek Professional Help?

If you experience pain, instability, or difficulty walking, I can help by providing:

- Comprehensive gait assessments to analyse how your feet affect your overall movement.

- Hands-on treatment and corrective exercises to restore proper function.

- Customised interventions to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Conclusion

Recognising a high-arched foot involves simple self-tests and clinical assessments. Since pes cavus can impact foot function, joint health, and posture, early detection allows for better management through proper treatment, movement therapy, and rehabilitation strategies. If you suspect you have high arches, reach out to me for an assessment to help you move better and stay pain-free.

 

References

- Brody, D. M., 1982.Techniques in the evaluation and treatment of the runner. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 1(3), pp.639-655.  
- Burns, J., Crosbie, J., Hunt, A. and Ouvrier, R., 2005.The effect of pes cavus on foot pain and plantar pressure. Clinical Biomechanics, **20**(9), pp.877-882.  
- Buldt, A. K., Allan, J. J., Landorf, K. B., Menz, H. B., Hill, K. D. and Vicenzino, B., 2018.Foot posture is associated with kinematics of the lower but not upper limb during walking and running.* Gait & Posture, 62, pp.230-238.  
- Cavanagh, P. R. and Rodgers, M. M., 1987.The arch index: A useful measure from footprints.Journal of Biomechanics, 20(5), pp.547-551.  
-Kelly, L. A., Girard, O. and Racinais, S., 2014. Effects of arch structure and footwear on ankle and knee mechanics in running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 46(5), pp.883-891.  
- McPoil, T. G., Cornwall, M. W., Vicenzino, B. and Teyhen, D. S., 2009. Foot orthoses and gait: The role of transverse plane kinetics. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 39 ( 10), pp.733-740.  
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