How can you tell when you’ve put a sneaker on the wrong foot? Usually you feel the curved arch area pressing into the outside of your foot, and you know something isn’t right. That curved area in your shoes follows the shape of an incredibly important structure in your feet—your arches. Your arches help make it possible for your feet to be strong enough to hold up your body and still able to absorb the shock of your steps. If this part of your foot isn’t shaped correctly, you can have some serious pain when you spend time standing and walking.
Extreme Curves and High Arches
The arch of your foot is crucial for distributing your bodyweight evenly through your lower limbs. A normal arch has just the right amount of curve to efficiently direct force forward and help balance weight evenly between the front, middle, and back of the feet. High arches are curved more steeply and lift higher than normal, which can make them inefficient and difficult to fit into many types of shoes. Since they do not evenly balance out and distribute weight, you often end up with uncomfortable pressure on your heels and the balls of your feet. This can cause a variety of painful problems, from hammertoes and calluses to arch or heel pain. Sometimes you may also have discomfort just from too much standing, walking, or running.
While many people with high arches are born with them, sometimes you can actually develop a raised midfoot from a different condition. Neurological disorders can change the shape of the arch by affecting the muscles, pulling it upward. These can be serious and progressive conditions, distorting the foot shape and adding more and more pressure and pain to the weight bearing areas of your feet.
Adding Supports
Not all high arches are serious problems, but if you’re experiencing pain because of them, you need to have your condition evaluated. Dr. Noah Levine will examine your lower limbs to see if another issue is behind your uncomfortable arches. He may request diagnostic images and other tests to get an accurate picture of what’s happening. Once he has determined whether or not your feet have a neurological disorder, he can help you move forward with treatment.
Most uncomfortable arches can be addressed by adding cushioning and support through shoe changes and orthotics. Arch support helps your midfoot distribute weight efficiently and removes some of the pressure from the ball of the foot and the heel. You should avoid footwear that is too flat or too high, since those can aggravate midfoot discomfort. Instead, choose shoes with low heels, padded soles, and stable arch support. Prescription orthotics that are designed for your unique feet can add that extra layer of support and padding as well. If you do have a neurological disorder that is causing the issue, you may need more involved treatment or even surgery to address the source of the problem.
High arches do not have to make standing or walking around difficult for you. With a little extra support, you can relieve your discomfort and avoid painful complications. Don’t wait and allow your feet to get worse when the solution to your discomfort can be so simple. Contact the experts at Absolute Foot Care Specialists in Las Vegas for an appointment or more information to take care of your lower limbs today. Visit the online contact page or call us at (702) 839-2010 to reach us.
