CAVUS FOOT (HIGH ARCH FOOT)
WHAT IS CAVUS FOOT?
Cavus foot is a condition in which the foot has a very high arch. Because of this high arch, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when walking or standing. Cavus foot can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as pain and instability. Cavus foot is often caused by a neurologic disorder or other medical condition, such as cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifida, polio, muscular dystrophy or stroke.
SYMPTOMS
The arch of a cavus foot will appear high even when standing. In addition, one or more of the following symptoms may be present: hammertoes, calluses on the ball, side or heel of the foot, pain when standing or walking, and an unstable foot due to the heel tilting inward, which can lead to ankle sprains. Some people with cavus foot may also experience foot drop, a weakness of the muscles in the foot and ankle that results in dragging the foot when taking a step.
TREATMENT:
Nonsurgical treatment of cavus foot may include one or more of the following options: orthotic devices, shoe modifications, and bracing. If nonsurgical treatment fails to adequately relieve pain and improve stability, surgery may be needed to decrease pain, increase stability and compensate for weakness in the foot. In some cases where an underlying neurologic problem exists, surgery may be needed again in the future due to the progression of the disorder.
