Pes Cavus
(Cavus Foot; High Arched Foot; Claw Foot)
Pronounced: pez cay-vus
by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN
Definition
Pes cavus is an abnormally high arched foot. People with this condition place too much weight and stress on the ball and heel of the foot when standing or walking. This condition can begin at any age.
Causes
Pes cavus can be caused by an underlying disease, injury, or an inherited foot problem. Causes include:
- Polio
- Spinal cord tumor
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Cerebral palsy
- Friedreich ataxia
- Clubfoot
- Compartment syndrome
- Crush injury
- Structural abnormality
- Inherited condition
Risk Factors
Pes cavus has a tendency to run in families. If you have a family member with very high arches, then you may be at increased risk for developing pes cavus.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with pes cavus include:
- Foot pain
- Stiff joints
- Pain when standing and/or walking
- Hammertoes
- Claw toes
- Calluses
- Foot drop—the foot does not flex up
- Instability
Claw Toes
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Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will also be asked about your family medical history. Your foot will be examined closely. Your doctor may move it around to assess range of motion.
You may be referred to a specialist. An orthopedist specializes in bones. Podiatrists specialize in feet. The condition may be caused by a nervous system condition. In this case your doctor may refer you to a neurologist.
Images may need to be taken of your foot. This can be done with x-rays.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Options include the following:
Orthotic Devices
Orthotic devices are custom-made inserts placed into shoes. They can provide support, stability, and cushioning to the feet.
Changes to Shoes
In some cases, changing shoes is used to treat pes cavus. Soft soled shoes, wider shoes, and high-topped shoes may all be helpful in managing the symptoms.
Braces
Braces may also be used to position the foot or treat foot drop. In foot drop, the foot does not lift properly. This can interfere with normal walking.
Foot Care
If you have corns or calluses on your feet, your doctor will remove them. You may be given pads to cushion your feet so further corns and calluses don’t develop.
Surgery
In some cases, medical treatment is not effective, so surgery is considered. The type of surgery depends on what is causing the pes cavus. One type of surgery, called an osteotomy removes part of the bone to correct the deformity.
RESOURCES:
American Academy
of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org
American College
of Foot
and Ankle Surgeons
http://www.foothealthfacts.com
American Podiatric Medical Association
http://www.apma.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine
http://www.podiatryinfocanada.ca
Canadian Podiatric Medical Association
http://www.podiatrycanada.org
REFERENCES:
Cavus foot (high-arched foot). American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.foothea... . Updated December 18, 2009. Accessed May 1, 2013.
Shoe inserts and prescription custom orthotics. American Podiatric Medical Association website. Available at: http://www.apma.org/Learn/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=988 . Accessed May 1, 2013.
Pes cavus. DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed . Accessed January 19, 2011. Accessed May 1, 2013.
Skinner HB. Current Orthopedics . 4th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Companies;2006: Chapter 9, Foot & Ankle Surgery.
Last reviewed May 2013 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 5/1/2013