Talipes Cavus

Overview
Cavus foot refers to an abnormally high arch and because of this high quality content arch structure, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when standing. Cavus foot can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, particularly pain and instability and it can develop at any age, and can occur in one or both feet. People with high arches are often times vulnerable to overuse injuries during sports and exercise because their feet aren?t good shock absorbers, due to less surface contact with the ground.

Causes
Cavus foot commonly occurs as a result of an underlying medical or neurological condition, such as polio, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Cavus foot may also occur as a result of congenital defects. They may be inherited from a parent, or they may result from an orthopedic condition or a disease of the nerves or muscles.

Symptoms
Symptoms may vary from a mild problem with shoe fitting to significant disability.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cavus foot includes a review of the patient?s family history. The foot and ankle surgeon examines the foot, looking for a high arch and possible calluses, hammertoes, and claw toes. The foot is tested for muscle strength, and the patient?s walking pattern and coordination are observed. If a neurologic condition appears to be present, the entire limb may be examined. The surgeon may also study the pattern of wear on the patient's shoes. X-rays are sometimes ordered to further assess the condition. In addition, the surgeon may refer the patient to a neurologist for a complete neurologic evaluation.

Non Surgical Treatment
Foot orthotic devices can provide support for stressed joints and soft tissues. They are often constructed to increase shock absorption. The redistribution of weight relieves stress on the metatarsals. Generally, custom-made semi-rigid or semi-flexible functional posted orthotics are most effective for this foot type. They often include shock absorbing material in the arch. These devices are prescribed based on a thorough biomechanical examination by a qualified podiatrist. Orthotic therapy is very effective for patients with this foot type. Over-the-counter arch supports may be helpful for mild cases, but they are often a poor fit for persons with this condition.

Surgical Treatment
The surgical procedures involved with the correction of the cavus foot are varied. Theses may include correction of the bony deformity, ankle looseness and the muscle imbalances that cause the deformity. The goal is to provide a foot that evenly distributes weight along both inside and outside edges. A variety of incisions may be needed to perform the procedures related to the correction of the cavus foot.