High Arch" (cavus foot)
A high-arched foot may be a congenital or inherited foot deformity. The condition may be difficult to identify in younger children and may not be fully recognised untill the adult, in their 20's or 30's begins to have problems caused by foot deformity. A high arched foot maymay also be caused by an inherited muscle or nerve disease called CMT.
Many problems caused by a high arched foot include "weak" ankles, frequent ankle sprains, hammertoes, and calluses. Often these problems can be treated with mechanical supports or orthotics. More severe deformities of the high-arched foot can be surgically corrected.
"Low Arch - Flat Foot" (pes planus)
Flat feet may be normal feet, but some flat feet are NOT, and may lead to a wide variety of foot problems. Aching, fatigue, cramping, heel pain, arthritis, weakness, and disability are just a few syptoms that an abnormal lat foot may produce. Flat feet can lead to deformities of the toes, such as bunions, hammertoes,corns, and calluses.
Many of the symtoms of a flat foot can be controlled with an in-shoe device or orthotic. In more severe pediatric deformities, the normal arch of the foot can be restored with successful surgical repair. Many of the severe disabling flat foot deformites of the adult can also be successfully surgically treated.