Different foot shapes and treatment

Patients will often come to clinic concerned that they do not have a normal foot shape. Two of the most common abnormalities that I see are a high arched foot or a low arched foot (often called a flat foot). The reassuring thing I can tell these patients is that both of these foot types are incredibly common and it is rare that they are disabling or, indeed, need any form of treatment. Most people that I see have had these foot shapes long-term since childhood. The patients that may need some further investigation or treatments are those have had a gradual or recent change in their foot shape.

Flat feet are incredibly common and can be due to the way the bones in the back of the foot have grown, injuries to the structers on the inside of the foot or simply due to a genetic predisposition. If there are symptoms associated with a flat feet then shoe inserts (orthotics) can be very helpful in alleviating the symptoms. These can be bought off the shelf or a more bespoke version can be made by a podiatrist. The requirement for surgery is unlikely and should only be suggested if orthotics and physiotherapy have failed to alleviate the patient’s symptoms.

High arched feet are also common. This foot shape can lead to abnormal pressure points at the front and side of the foot and so again orthotics can be of benefit if needed. The development of a high arched foot can be due to neurological conditions and so a thorough examination by an expert in the field is essential if this develops. Other causes can be repetitive ankle injuries or natural genetic inheritance.

If you would like advice regarding the management of your foot pain, please make an appointment with one of our foot and ankle surgeons.

References:

Mechanism of orthotic therapy for the painful cavus foot deformity

• Bijan Najafi, 
• James S Wrobel & 
• Joshua Burns 

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research volume 7, Article number: 2 (2014) 

Foot orthoses for adults with flexible pes planus: a systematic review

• Helen A Banwell, 
• Shylie Mackintosh & 
• Dominic Thewlis 

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research volume 7, Article number: 23 (2014)