The arch extends from the heel to the ball of the foot. The high arched foot  can either be inherited or acquired. It often is accompanied by crooked toes called hammertoes. Slightly higher arches usually pose no problem until later years, when the protective fatty pad starts to break down and painful calluses develop.

In more severe cases, it may be difficult to find properly fitting shoes for a child because of the exceptionally high arch. Adult patients may complain of having difficulty finding comfortable shoes because none of them fills the gap under the arch of the foot. Occasionally a patient will complain that prolonged standing or walking for long distances causes the bottom of the foot to hurt, with the pain going up into the their back.  An arch that is getting gradually higher may be an indication of neurological disease.

Flat foot, the opposite of high arch, often is misidentified as fallen arches or broken arches. Actually a flat foot is a structural abnormality in which the foot bones maintain a low angle, thereby giving a appearance of an absent or low arch area.

Due to its abnormal structure, a flat foot frequently causes the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foot to function improperly or to be overworked, resulting in symptoms. These symptoms may include pain and/or a cramping sensation in the arch and leg cramps, and an increased tendency toward fatigue or tiredness in the foot and leg.

In children with abnormally flat feet, there may be different signs and symptoms than pain and tiredness of the foot and leg. The child may be clumsy when walking and running, or be unwilling to participate in physical activities.

Not every flat foot or high arched foot demonstrates abnormal signs and symptoms, and not every flat foot or high arched foot needs to be treated. However, if symptoms persist, then it is wise to seek professional help from your podiatrist. If left untreated, the symptomatic flat foot or high arched foot may become progressively more painful and disabling and may lead to formation of bunions, hammertoes or arthritis in some of the joints of the foot. Through careful examination and x-ray studies, your podiatrist can determine the cause and severity of the foot problem and initiate a treatment program aimed at relieving the discomfort and stopping the progression of deformity.

Can a podiatrist help you? We make it easy to find out. Here's how....

The physicians and staff of the A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Centers maintain two complete podiatric clinical facilities and provide 24-hour emergency service. We participate in most health plans including Blue Cross / Blue Shield, Medicare, and Medicaid. We complete and file all necessary insurance forms and make every effort to assure you of maximum benefits with minimum out-of-pocket expense.

You are invited to make an appointment today to relieve your foot problems by calling us at 970-493-4660 or 970-667-0769.

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