How to Relieve Foot Pain From High Arches

Pes cavus (or high arches) puts undue pressure on the ankle and knee joints. This can lead to significant pain and discomfort when performing activities of daily living. It can also lead to other conditions like metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, ankle instability, claw toes, etc., all of which reduce the quality of life.

If you notice you have high arches in your foot that are causing you pain, you must manage them early as proper management can lead to improved quality of life.

Treating Pain From High Arches

Pain from high arches can be treated with a combination of at-home treatments and professional medical attention.

Home Remedies for High Arches

Though these remedies won't cure your high arches, they can bring some pain relief:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Ice
• Night splinting (braces that hold the toes in a certain position)

Medical and Professional Assistance for High Arches

When home treatment doesn’t yield the desired result, seek expert advice. Here’s what you can expect:

• Orthotics Orthotics provide additional support and cushioning to the feet. While over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics are an option, custom-designed orthotics provide the best results as they are molded to your unique foot shape and size. Upstep arch supports for high arches help redistribute pressure and stress when walking or running and are well-cushioned, breathable, comfortable, stable, and allow more flexibility.
• Physical therapy A PA physiotherapist will use stretching and strengthening exercises to treat pes cavus symptoms. A physiotherapist can also prescribe a brace for the foot and ankle to ease high arch symptoms.
• Surgery If the condition doesn’t improve with non-surgical treatment, surgery to alter soft tissue, remove bones from certain areas, or fuse joints may be necessary.

Managing High Arch Pain

Among other causes, genetics is supposed to play a causative role when it comes to high arches. While the cause may be unavoidable, proper management is possible with monitoring and treatments. The earlier the intervention, the better the treatment outcome will be.