Talipes Cavus Deformities

Overview
Pes cavus describes a foot with a high arch that does not reduce with weight bearing. This deformity may originate in the hindfoot, the forefoot, or both. There are many variations in associated soft tissue and bony abnormalities that occur. Usually, there is a hindfoot varus component, thus the term pes cavovarus.

Causes
There are different causes of a high-arched foot. In many cases, the cause is unknown. In other cases, the cause is a nerve disease, clubfoot or injury. Treatment ranges from changes in shoewear to surgeries, depending on the amount of deformity and related problems.

Symptoms
In many respects, pes cavus is a more bothersome foot type than flatfoot. Less of the plantar surface of the foot is weight bearing resulting in increased stress on the heel and metatarsals. Painful plantar calluses are often present. The toes may develop a "clawing" deformity with painful corns on the top of the toes or at the tips. The high arched foot is very poor at absorbing the shock of heel strike during the gait cycle. This creates abnormal stress on the soft tissues of the heel and mid-tarsal joints (arch). The shock is transmitted up the kinetic naperville running company chain to the ankle, knees, hips, and lower back. Pain in one or more these areas is fairly common.

Diagnosis
Examination of the muscle groups and muscle strength is important. Furthermore, pain along the peroneal tendons may be a sign of a peroneal tendon tear. This may result in a cavus foot much like a posterior tibial tendon dysfunction may result in flatfoot. Instability of the lateral ankle may also lead to a cavus foot position as the talus deviates into a varus position due to the laxity of the lateral ankle ligaments.

Non Surgical Treatment
Depending on the severity and presence of debilitation, non-surgical and surgical treatment options are extensively reviewed by your Weil foot and ankle physician. Non-surgical treatment options we provide include, but are not limited to: shoe gear modifications, bracing and/or strappings, custom-molded arch supports; all of which assist in positioning the foot properly and provide improved shock absorption.

Surgical Treatment
If non-surgical treatment fails to adequately relieve pain, improve stability, and compensate for any muscular imbalance or weakness, your physican may advocate surgery, also considered for cases that are predicted to progress in nature. In these instances, the goal of surgery is to help reduce the severity of future problems. There are various surgical procedures available, some of which combine both bony and tendon reconstruction. Your physician will review and recommend a procedure based on the patient?s individual case.