You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on your feet. This is enough to make the diagnosis.

Images may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. This can be done with x-rays.

Treatment

Any health problems causing pes cavus will need to be treated. These methods may also be used:

Physical therapy
A change in shoes, shoe inserts, or a brace to manage symptoms

People who are not helped by these methods may need surgery. The type of surgery done depends on what is causing the pes cavus.

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to prevent pes cavus.

RESOURCES:

American Podiatric Medical Association
http://www.apma.org

Foot Health Facts—American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
http://www.foothealthfacts.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: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/cavus-foot-(high-arched-foot). Accessed July 30, 2020.

Eleswarapu AS, Yamini B, et al. Evaluating the Cavus Foot. Pediatr Ann. 2016 Jun 1;45(6):e218-222.

Pes cavus. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114709/Pes-cavus. Updated September 26, 2017. Accessed July 30, 2020.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Laura Lei-Rivera, PT, DPT
Last Updated: 3/12/2021

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