Pes Cavus (High-Arched Foot)

The condition pes cavus presents as an abnormally high arch of the foot with steep metatarsal bones, which means that abnormal loading occurs in the hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot. Pes cavus can be congenital and is most often hereditary.

The condition can also develop due to certain neuromuscular disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or spastic paralysis. Here, overactive nerve impulses cause constant pull on the toes, pushing the metatarsals into a steeper position. Over time, the condition becomes permanent and pes cavus is formed.

Symptoms of pes cavus

Symptoms range from none to severe pain in the midfoot, under the forefoot and in the heel. Most commonly, symptoms include:

• Claw toes and/or hammer toes
• Tight Achilles tendon

How is pes cavus treated?

In many cases, our orthopaedic surgeons recommend first trying orthotics, possibly combined with physiotherapy.

Previously, treatment of pes cavus consisted of physiotherapy, arch-support orthotics or extensive fusion operations. Today, there is greater knowledge in the field and we have a broader spectrum of treatments in the form of corrective surgical techniques.

If the pes cavus is very pronounced, a fusion operation may still be the best solution.