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High arches
High arches are the result of a de-generative process of the tendons and ligaments in the leg, calf and shin. As the tendons and ligaments shrink, they get shorter and pull the bone structure up from the feet and the navicular area (top of the feet). With this process the support provided by the side of the foot lifts up until this side support no longer touches the ground surface. This is clearly visible on the 3D picture and therefore the computerised foot examination process is a very good way to highlight the problem of high arches. This condition can occur regardless of whether the patient also has flat feet or not, since it is a leg problem and not a foot problem. All of the weight is distributed onto the heel and the cross (transversal) arch at the front of the foot. This can then lead to bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, or mallet toes. Symptoms of High arches include cramp in the calf muscles, a tight feeling in the legs, shin splints, sore Achilles, sore knees, hips and lower back as well as pronation. People with high arches also tend to be quite unstable on their feet, due to the lack of support otherwise provided along the side of the feet. Such instability can, of course, lead to accidents and injury.
There is absolutely no support pressure along the side of either foot. There is no visible pressure on the longitudinal arch area as both arches are so high that they do not even touch the surface.
The support pressure area along the side of the feet is gradually becoming narrower. This means that high arches are developing on both feet. There are two different degrees of high arch on the two feet.
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If there is a loss of pressure along the side of the foot or if there is no side pressure at all, this means that the patient has high arches. Patients can lose the pressure along the side of the feet in various ways. The pressure zone may gradually become narrower or disappear, or the patient may even develop high arches from having had flat feet. Each foot can then have differing degrees of high arch, which can cause an unbalanced condition.
This picture shows high arches developing from flat feet. The wide pressure zone along the longitudinal arches of the feet indicates flat feet. These pressure zones are, however, beginning to fade away with the pressure being slowly distributed more over the heel and the front of the feet. This is a combined and complex problem. Flat feet are a foot problem and the development of high arches suggest a leg problem.
Treatment: A well designed custom made pair of Pedikom restorative orthotics will redistribute the pressure over the three points on the sole, providing balance and stability to the feet. The orthotics will also help the high arches by introducing a supporting mechanism that will encourage the bones, ligaments and muscles over the longitudinal arch to relax more and to restore themselves. This support will also reduce the possibility of any ankle related problems.