Having High Arches & Foot Pain
High Arched Feet: Common Problems & Pain Relief Tips
Having high arched feet means your foot’s natural arch, or the area between your heel and the ball of the foot, is taller than normal. Also known as cavus foot deformity, high arches can cause pain, instability, and long-term foot problems. For those with mild to moderate discomfort, wearing comfortable shoes with insoles for high arches can help.
This article explains how having high arches can lead to foot pain and why PowerStep® Pinnacle® High insoles are ideal for providing high arch support plus cushioned pain relief.
High Foot Arch (Cavus Foot)
High arches can be genetic or a result of medical conditions like past injuries, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and neurological issues. Some cases of cavus foot are mild, treated with orthotics and braces, while others are severe and require surgery.
Though less common than flat feet, high arches are more likely to cause painful foot conditions because of how they affect alignment and foot function. High arches put excess pressure on the ball of the foot and heel, causing pain, fatigue, and instability.
If you have mild to moderate foot pain and believe high arches might be the cause, you can find your arch height using a simple at-home wet test.
Common High Arch Foot Problems
People with cavus foot have a hard time finding shoes that fit. Most shoes are not made to support high arches let alone the shortened foot length. Having high arches can make your feet and ankles supinate, or roll outward as you walk. This creates misalignment, pain, and increases the risk of injuries.
The symptoms of having high arches depend on the cause of the condition, but can include:
- Heel or forefoot pain
- Trouble balancing
- Ankle weakness and sprains
- Toes that bend while standing
- Frequent stress fractures
- Shin splints for runners
- Dragging your feet (also called foot drop)
- Calluses on the heel, ball of the foot and side of the foot
PowerStep Pinnacle High insoles help minimize foot pain associated with high arches and supination. Our shoe inserts for supination help correct unwanted movement, add support and cushioning to your shoes, and relieve pain from the following foot problems:
1. Plantar Fasciitis
High arches put stress on the plantar fascia, causing sharp heel pain and inflammation known as plantar fasciitis. Having high arches puts you at a greater risk for plantar fasciitis. Adding high arch insoles to your shoes reduces pressure to help relieve and prevent pain.
2. Metatarsalgia
High arches also put repeated stress on the balls of the feet, creating inflammation and forefoot pain known as metatarsalgia. Using a metatarsal pad under the ball of the foot with an insole can help redistribute this weight and relieve discomfort.
3. Ankle Pain & Instability
Frequent ankle sprains and trouble balancing can occur when your heel tilts as you walk, creating instability in the heels and ankles. Ankle support braces and high arch insoles with deep heel cups help stabilize the foot and ankle for better balance and motion control.
4. Toe Deformities
The increased pressure from high arches and muscle imbalances can cause hammertoes and claw toes. Both negatively affect how you walk, making it uncomfortable to be on your feet. Ball of foot cushions and shoe insoles take pressure off the toe area to relieve pain.
5. Knee, Hip & Back Pain
People with high arches and supinated feet place extra weight on the outside of their feet when they walk, disrupting the body’s alignment and gait. Poor alignment is a direct cause of knee, hip and back pain. Supination insoles support the arch and heel to control unwanted movement, encouraging healthy alignment throughout the lower body.
How to Relieve High Arch Foot Pain
Mild to moderate pain from high arches may improve with the use of orthotic devices like insoles and ankle braces. Wearing comfortable shoes with high arch support and plenty of padding helps mitigate discomfort, but most shoes lack the proper insole for a high arch.
PowerStep’s high arch insoles provide adequate support and cushioning needed to relieve foot pain and increase stability. Our clinically proven arch shape makes PowerStep insoles like Pinnacle High and customized Heat Moldable insoles a trusted solution to improve foot function and alleviate common foot conditions.
More serious cavus foot deformities often require medical intervention and surgery. For an accurate diagnosis, see a podiatrist who can treat high arch foot pain and discuss solutions like PowerStep orthotic insoles, the #1 podiatrist-recommended insole for preventing and relieving foot pain.
Get High Arch Support with PowerStep Orthotic Insoles
When you need specialized support for high arches, choose PowerStep orthotic insoles. The best insoles for supination and foot pain, PowerStep insoles support your feet, increase comfort, and enhance stability to help relieve pain from foot problems caused by high arches.
PowerStep does not diagnose or treat medical conditions. PowerStep insoles for high arches are designed to relieve and prevent foot pain caused by mild to moderate supination. Please see a healthcare provider if you have severe pain linked to high arches.
References:
Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot) - Foot Health Facts. (2019). Foot Health Facts.
Cavus (High Arch) Feet. (2018, September 27). Feet MD.
High Arch Feet (Cavus Foot): What Is It, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic.
