Definition
High Arches or Hollow foot, also known as “Pes cavus” in medicine, is an incorrect foot
position. It may be passed down or acquired during life. A hollow foot can be identified as such
from the outside, depending on the severity of misalignment. Due to an imbalance between the
muscles in the foot and the lower leg, the foot's longitudinal arch changes, increasing the foot's
curvature toward the upper side and causing a hollow space on the lower side of the foot.
Depending on when it develops, a hollow foot can be seen through symptoms or be congenitally
present. After a thorough examination and X-ray of the problematic foot, a doctor can identify a
hollow foot.
Causes
Among the several types of hollow foot, congenital hollow foot is the most prevalent and most
frequently manifests as a congenital illness. A hollow foot can develop at any stage of life, and
the origins of the congenital form are still unknown. There may be a neurological, orthopedic, or
neuromuscular underlying reason. However, the etiology is frequently absent, in which case the
condition is referred to as an idiopathic hollow leg. An imbalance in the muscles of the foot and
lower leg causes hollow feet, which can happen at any time in life and result in a pathological
change to the foot's longitudinal arch on the underside of the foot.
Nerves, muscles, and their connection can all be messed up. People with hollow feet have been
linked to several illnesses. Examples include Friedrich's ataxia, one of the neurological causes of
clubfoot, and neuromuscular atrophy, the most prevalent neuromuscular cause of clubfoot. In
this illness, the central nervous system is partially destroyed, which results in the formation of a
hollow foot. Clubfoot can also be brought on by accident-related muscle damage.
Treatment
The degree and underlying cause of a hollow foot will determine the appropriate course of
treatment. The patient's underlying illness should be treated first if the cause is known. Between
conservative and surgical therapy, the course of treatment often varies.
The first is conservative therapy, which is used to cure hollow feet initially. With the aid of
custom-made insoles, the hollow foot can be somewhat straightened when the therapy is being
applied. The insoles assist in addressing the imbalance between the lower leg's muscle groups
and the feet, which is what leads to hollow feet and causes discomfort. Insoles can be made from
a variety of materials and styles. For the treatment to be effective, a skilled orthopedic doctor
who specializes in the treatment of hollow feet must be consulted, as well as regular therapy
checks.
The second option is, of course, surgical therapy, which is only used after conservative therapy
has failed. There are various surgical therapies that can be used to treat hollow feet.
Osteotomy, a
surgical procedure, connotes the cutting and fixation of bones or portions of them in a displaced
position. The calcaneus, a bony foot bone, is split into two pieces during this treatment and
moved out of place.
However, a surgical procedure known as arthrodesis tries to dramatically
lessen the pain brought on by surgically hardening specific joints. Only in severe situations is
this operation recommended, as it permanently stiffens the joints. The type of surgery that is best
for a given patient depends on the underlying condition as well as the severity of the clubfoot,
both of which are thoroughly reviewed with the treating physician.