Pes cavus

Pes cavus
Classification and external resources
High arch in foot of a person with an hereditary neuropathy
ICD-10	Q66.7
ICD-9	754.71
DiseasesDB	24563
MedlinePlus	001261
eMedicine	orthoped/539

High arch (also high instep, pes cavus in medical jargon) is a human foot type in which the sole of the foot is distinctly hollow when bearing weight. That is, there is a fixed plantar flexion of the foot. A high arch is the opposite of a flat foot, and somewhat less common.

As with certain cases of flat feet, high arches may be painful due to metatarsal compression; however, high arches— particularly if they are flexible or properly cared-for—may be an asymptomatic condition and in fact beneficial to the person.

People with pes cavus sometimes—though not always—have difficulty finding shoes that fit and may require support in their shoes. Children with high arches who have difficulty walking may wear specially-designed insoles, which are available in various sizes and can be made to order.

High arches may be hereditary or acquired, and the underlying cause may be neurological, orthopedic or neuromuscular. Pes cavus is oftentimes—but not always—connected through Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy Type 1 (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) and Friedreich's Ataxia; many other cases of pes cavus are natural.

Treatment

Surgical treatment is only initiated if there is severe pain, as the available operations can be difficult. Otherwise, high arches may be handled with care and proper treatment.

See also

• Arches of the foot
• En pointe
• Foot binding