Arches foot

Dr. med. Julia Schwarz is a freelance writer in the medical department.

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The pes cavus is another congenital or acquired misalignment of the foot. The patients have an above-average instep, as the arch of the foot is particularly pronounced and the small foot muscles are shortened. The affected foot is usually shorter and stockier than a healthy foot. There are various conservative and surgical methods to treat the deformity. Read more about the arches here.

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. M21Q66

Arches of the foot - the arch of the foot is too high

A high arch is a congenital or acquired misalignment of the foot and is the opposite of a flat foot: The arch of the foot is very pronounced, for example due to a congenital weakness of the small foot muscles. The too high instep often causes pain and pressure points on the back of the foot. The toes are often clawed and corns can appear. Those affected more often suffer from sprains or broken bones (fractures), as the stability of the foot is significantly impaired by the misalignment.

Depending on where the main stress is on the deformed foot, a distinction is made between the common arched foot and the rarer arched arched foot.

Arches foot - congenital or acquired?

A high arch can be congenital or acquired. A slight weakness in the small muscles of the foot can increase in the further course and lead to the deformity. In women who regularly wear high-heeled shoes, the ligaments and tendons shorten over time, which can ultimately lead to a hollow foot. A neurological disease that causes muscle wasting in the small muscles of the foot can also be a trigger for the foot deformity. Arches also occur in families. Often they arise in the growing age and then solidify through the wrong footwear.

Arches foot - this is how you recognize it

The misalignment of the foot is easy to recognize. The longitudinal arch of the foot is very high and pronounced. The toes often assume a clawed or gripping position. The heel and forefoot carry your entire body weight, while the metatarsus has almost no contact with the ground. This uneven load makes the foot more unstable overall, and sprains can occur more frequently. Depending on the cause, the archesus grows more and more over time. There are pressure points and pain on the back of the foot as well as corns.

Arches foot - this is how it is treated

In order to be able to treat the archesus correctly, the cause must be known. The doctor then chooses the most appropriate treatment methods.

If the arch of the foot is only slightly pronounced, the foot is usually still flexible. A non-invasive therapy is often sufficient here: orthopedic step insoles for shoes or night splints are used here. Physiotherapy is also very successful in patients with archesus and is highly recommended. The exercises can be easily integrated into everyday life and should be continued continuously.

In the case of a very pronounced archesus, an operation can help if necessary.

Arches foot - prevention

A congenital arches foot cannot be prevented, but an acquired one can. Women in particular should avoid shoes that are too small and heels that are too high. There are now more and more shoe brands that pay attention to a healthy fit of their shoes. Walking barefoot on a soft, natural surface also promotes a healthy foot structure and can help prevent hollow feet.

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