What is Pes Cavus?
This is a condition whereby the arch of the foot is very pronounced. It is the opposite to Pes Planus where the arch is obliterated.
What are the symptoms of Pes Cavus?
The majority of patients will be asymptomatic and will have had the condition from birth. This condition does make patients more susceptible to rolling the ankle so recurrent sprains and injury to the lateral ligament complex or Peroneal tendons can be seen. With increasing age, due to the long term abnormal pressures placed on the foot and ankle, arthritis may develop and lead to worsening deformity and pain.
It is important to recognise a foot that develops a high arch, especially if only one side. This could be a sign of an underlying spinal cord or neurological condition and requires MR imaging of the entire neural axis as a matter of urgency.
How is Pes Cavus diagnosed?
The foot shape abnormality can be easily appreciated on examination alone. Weight-bearing X-rays can quantify the angles of the arch of the foot and can be helpful to monitor any changes. MRI and CT are helpful to look at particular parts of the foot if pathology has developed due to the deformity.
What are my treatment options for Pes Cavus?
Most of the conditions that ensue from this deformity are discussed separately in this section of the website. To correct the cavus deformity surgically it is almost always necessary to realign the heel and perform various soft tissue releases to bring the foot back to a more neutral position.