The arches of your feet are responsible for much of the shock absorption while walking and running. Having arches that are too low or too high can lead to a host of problems with not only your feet and ankles but also your back and hips.
In many cases, those with high arches were born with them; however, some medical conditions may cause high arches too. These conditions may include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Polio
- Spinal cord tumors
- Spina bifida
- Stroke
- Charcot-Marie-tooth disease
One way to check at home if you have high arches is to stand on a piece of paper with wet feet. If the imprint you leave has no connection between the heel and ball portion of the foot, you most likely have high arches. If there is only a thin connection between them, you probably have moderately high arches.
Some of the problems that may be caused by having arches that are too high can include plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, claw toes, hammer toe, and foot and ankle instability. Just because you have high arches doesn’t mean you have to suffer through these conditions, though. There are several ways to support and treat high arches, such as orthotic devices, foot pads, night splints, and special walking shoes.
If you still experience discomfort, it may help to ice your arches for 20 minutes at a time throughout the day and taking over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. At South Texas Foot and Ankle Doctors, we’re happy to make some recommendations if you feel you have high arches and are experiencing pain in your feet and ankles.
For questions about high arches or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (956) 682-8391 today!