
If you have high arches, tell me about your experience.If you need support that goes beyond that of over-the-counter insoles, try a pair of custom orthotics. We use the Vasyli medical custom orthotic product line because they have taken the time to design orthotics that support the biomechanical structure of various foot types and they meet the comfort needs of most people with various foot conditions. The only orthotic that I have found that is suitable for the high arched foot is the Vasyli Hoke supination orthotic. They are designed specifically for the biomechanical structure of the “supinated” high arched foot. They are designed to support the shape of a low arched foot. So they won’t be comfortable or they will cause compensations and pain elsewhere. So, back to the original question. People with high arches have difficulty finding orthotics that work for them because most over-the-counter orthotics are not designed to support the shape of a high arched foot.

Most of the problems related to a “supinated” foot type are due to excessive pressure on certain areas (big toe, metatarsals, heel), excessive plantar flexion overloading certain tissue (plantar fascia, Achilles tendon), and rigidity overloading other joints of the foot and ankle (arthritis, instability). Ankle Arthritis (arthritis due to overloading of the ankle joints).


We have all heard that finding shoes with arch support is better for us and that wearing flats or sandals without arch support is not good for us. Most of the orthotics out on the market are geared towards and marketed to those with flat feet. If you have high arches and you have had difficulty finding the right shoes or orthotics to support your feet, I’m not surprised and you should keep reading. I will simply explain why and I’ll also explain how your specific foot type leads to certain types of foot and ankle pain. Whether having high arches is better or worse than having flat feet is irrelevant, because they both present with their own unique set of challenges. Recently I had a patient with pain in the ball of the foot, heel, and Achilles tendon tell me that orthotics have never worked for her "high arches". You’ve probably been told over the years by a doctor, podiatrist, therapist, or shoe salesperson that you have high arches and you w eren’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. You’ve compared your feet with others with “low arches” or “flat feet” and noticed the dramatic difference.

If you have “high arches”, you probably know it. Why People with “High Arches” Can’t Find Orthotics That Work and How Finding the Right Orthotic Can Prevent Annoying, Chronic Foot & Ankle Pain by Tamer Issa, PT, DPT
