What Are Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes for High Arches?

If you have high arches, it can be difficult to find the right pair of shoes that won’t cause pain or difficulty walking. Some people with high arches struggle to find shoes that don’t hurt the top of the feet by being too restricted. There are many reasons why having high arches can cause difficulty in finding good shoes, but finding podiatrist-recommended shoes may be even harder. Having a good podiatrist is a good place to start! 

What Does It Mean to Have High Arches?

The first part of understanding what it means to have high arches is to understand the basic anatomy of the foot. The foot has a few basic parts that every person and patient needs to understand. The sole of the foot stretches from the heel to the toes. Below the big toe is a large knob-like protrusion in the sole of the foot, called the ball of the foot. The part of the foot that connects the ball of the foot and the heel is called the arch of the foot, which comes from ligaments and other tissues holding those together.

It is built like a spring, so that you can use the arch as a kind of springboard for walking and running. The arch of the foot looks like an actual arch from the side. When you stand up, someone else or you should be able to see the curvature on the side of the foot. 

Why Are High Arches a Problem?

When it comes to the arch of the foot, it is important that it keeps a certain height. If the foot develops with a low arch (also called flat foot), it can cause a lot of problems for the person because they don’t have enough of a “spring”. This causes pain and other issues. A high arch is like a spring wound too tightly, where it doesn’t allow for enough flexibility. This causes pain and other issues as well. When a patient has high arches, supportive shoes are extremely important to help the arch to not collapse or have too much pressure on it. High arches usually need to be diagnosed by a podiatrist. If you feel you may have high arches, make an appointment. Then you can receive an in-person referral for podiatrist-recommended shoes. 

Diagnosis of High Arches

While a person may believe they have high arches, it is extremely important to get a diagnosis before purchasing specialized shoes. Sometimes shoes that are marketed as being for high arches can actually injure people who do not have high arches. Having the correct podiatrist-recommended shoes is very important, especially if they are able to diagnose you and see how severe your high arches are. Some patients need very specialized shoes to help them safely walk, and to reduce pain. These are a bit more rare, but knowing what is going on under the surface is so important to your foot health and treatment. 

Custom Orthotics 

Most podiatrists would actually prescribe and recommend the use of custom orthotics. These are specially designed shoe inserts that are created to match your needs. Your podiatrist will help you to create orthotics that will specifically contour to your foot and offer the support you will need, no matter what shoes you choose to buy.

Custom orthotics have a reputation for being expensive and difficult to purchase, but they are becoming increasingly affordable and are often covered at least partially by insurance. Custom orthotics are different because they are uniquely yours, but it isn’t just about creating a mold of your foot. It is about creating an insole that will support your needs. 

Over-the-Counter Shoe Inserts 

Some patients may feel tempted to purchase shoe inserts from the drugstore or online instead of getting custom orthotics. This is not what most podiatrists recommend. In fact, sometimes over-the-counter inserts can do more harm than good. They are often developed just for comfort, but can actually create more deformity. They also might make your foot go numb instead of actually helping with pain. Many people feel that this is a better and cheaper alternative than purchasing custom orthotics, which is not true in many cases. 

Good Shoes Are Important 

Regardless of what you choose to do about insoles, it is important to buy good shoes. Podiatrist-recommended shoes share a lot of the same qualities: 

1. Shoes that Support 

A lot of shoes that are stylish or fashionable do not have much of a sole. Look for shoes that have a thicker sole so that it can at least protect you from things like rocks or sharp things that might injure you or bruise the sole of your foot. 

1. Shoes that Fit

Buy shoes that fit your foot, and don’t get shoes that will pinch or restrict your feet. Buying shoes that are too small can damage your arch even more. If you have high arches, stay away from any shoes that are tight over the top of your foot. 

1. Shoes that Have Toe Space

Avoid purchasing shoes that are too narrow and may crush your feet, affecting your natural toe splay. You want shoes that feel comfortable and won’t smash your feet into a certain position. This can affect your arches as well. 

Podiatrist Recommended Shoes

There are so many different kinds of shoes available at various price points. With there being so much to choose from, if you really want to know what the best podiatrist-recommended shoes are, make an appointment with Foot and Ankle Specialists.

We can help you find the right shoes, and ensure that you have the correct diagnosis. If your feet are in pain, you don’t need to suffer. Your shoes do affect how your feet feel, but they can’t fix underlying issues. You may need to create a treatment plan that will help you to feel better faster and enjoy your everyday life, regardless of the shoes you decide to buy!