What Are High Arches (Pes Cavus)? Understanding the Structure Beneath Your Feet
High arches—formally called pes cavus—are like that guest at a party who just won’t sit down. Structurally, they involve an exaggerated curve in the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. This means your weight doesn’t distribute evenly, often landing more forcefully on the ball and heel of your foot.
What Defines a High Arch?
A high arch is typically identified when the arch of the foot is noticeably raised off the ground while standing. It often means the foot has less surface contact with the ground, which can affect shock absorption and balance.
Clinical signs:
Excessive arch height when standing
Calluses under the first and fifth metatarsals
Clawed toes
Lateral ankle instability or frequent sprains
High arches can be flexible (flatten slightly with weight-bearing) or rigid (stay arched regardless of loading).
What Causes High Arches?
Pes cavus can be idiopathic (no known cause), but often it’s linked to underlying conditions:
Hereditary structural differences
Neurological conditions: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, cerebral palsy, or stroke-related contractures
Postural compensations due to weak hips, spinal tension, or rigid toe flexors
Studies suggest that hereditary and neurological factors account for up to 66% of rigid pes cavus cases [1].
Why It Matters in Canberra
Our clients in Canberra often present with foot pain that turns out to be rooted (pun intended) in their arch mechanics. Whether you're a hiker taking on Mount Ainslie or just navigating Civic on your lunch break, high arches can affect your:
Balance
Posture
Efficiency of movement
Even your choice of footwear may be limited—flats or hard soles often exacerbate discomfort in cavus feet.
Foot Type Spectrum
Pes cavus isn’t just “the opposite of flat feet.” It’s part of a broader foot type spectrum:
Pes planus (flat foot)
Neutral
Pes cavus (high arch)
In a study on foot morphology in healthy adults, about 15% showed signs of high arches [2]. While not inherently pathological, they become a problem when they:
Limit foot mobility
Contribute to compensations upstream (knees, hips, spine)
Increase injury risk (stress fractures, plantar fasciitis)
Canberra Foot Health Takeaways
Get assessed – don’t assume pain = plantar fasciitis
Video gait analysis can reveal compensations caused by cavus structure
Foot mobility drills and strength work often go further than orthotics alone
Curious how high arches wreak havoc beyond just your feet? In the next post, we’ll explore the hidden stress they place on your knees, hips, and spine—and what that means for your movement and pain. High Arches and Their Impact on Your Body
References:
Burns J, Crosbie J, Ouvrier R. Effective orthotic therapy for the painful cavus foot: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2006;96(3):205–211.
Scott G, Menz HB, Newcombe L. Age-related differences in foot structure and function. Gait Posture. 2007;26(1):68–75.