Flat Feet Versus High Arches: What Your Foot Type Means for Injury Risk and Pain

The arches of your feet are made up of many bones and various connective tissues that absorb the shock of movement, adapt to uneven walking surfaces, and protect delicate nerves and blood vessels. 

The type of arch you have directly impacts the mechanics of how you walk. A neutral foot arch supports your body weight as it should and naturally rolls with the pressure you put on it. 

However, if you have no arch (flat feet) or an especially high arch, your foot may not be able to support natural walking mechanics, putting you at a higher risk for foot-related issues or injuries. 

Understanding what type of arch you have can help you wear the right kind of footwear and take proper precautions to protect bones and tissues in your feet and ankles. 

So, podiatrists Matthew Hinderland, DPM, Jordan Cameron, DPM, Trevor Whiting, DPM, and Shane Soto, DPM, at Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are taking the time to explain each type and how you should adapt accordingly in this blog.

Understanding flat feet

When you have flat feet, it means that you have little-to-no arch on the bottom of your feet. This causes your feet to lie flat on the ground while standing. 

While everyone is born with flat feet, your arch should develop throughout childhood. However, in some cases your arch may never develop, or it may collapse later in life due to an underlying condition, resulting in the flat foot deformity. Conditions that can trigger a fallen arch include rheumatoid arthritis and tendonitis. 

No matter what’s behind your flat feet, it’s important to understand that your lack of arch support impacts how you walk. Without getting proper support through physical therapy and custom orthotics, you can develop walking abnormalities, chronic foot and ankle pain, or hammertoes. 

Understanding high arches

When you have high arches, it means that your arch is unusually pronounced or curved. As a result, no part of your arch can touch the ground, even when you press your weight down on it. 

There are many things that can lead to high arches. High arches are often genetic, but they can also result from an underlying condition, such as muscular dystrophy or spina bifida. Having a high arch impacts how you walk and can put undue stress on other parts of your foot as it adapts to the unnatural walking pattern.

Not providing your feet with the support they need through proper footwear and custom orthotics, you can develop complications, such as plantar fasciitis, foot and ankle instability, and hammertoes. 

What arch type do you have?

If you aren’t sure what type of arch you have, you can find out through a simple test. Start by dipping your foot in water and then pressing it down on a piece of cardboard in order to leave a footprint. 

A neutral arch leaves a footprint that’s about half filled. You should have a normal walking pattern and not need additional walking or shoe supports. 

A flat foot leaves a complete footprint. If you have flat feet and have been struggling with foot and ankle pain, our team can assess your walking pattern and provide physical therapy to help your body adapt. We can also create custom orthotics to provide the correct support for your feet.

A high arch leaves hardly any footprint at all. If you have high arches and deal with foot pain or instability, our team can evaluate your walking pattern and provide proper treatment. 

To learn more about how our team can help you manage flat feet or high arches in order to prevent more serious complications, schedule an evaluation by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.