Paediatric Orthopaedic Specialist
Cavus foot (high arch)
Home Exercise Program
Not every exercise listed here is suitable for every child: the selection is individual and is defined during the consultation.
For whom: Children with cavus foot, after neurological evaluation if indicated. Exercises aim to improve flexibility and balance.
Dose and frequency: Perform only the exercises selected during the visit. The listed dosages are examples to adapt: follow the dose, frequency, rest and progression prescribed for age, symptoms and phase. Do not automatically perform the whole list.
Equipment and supervision: A stable, clear surface, comfortable clothing and a secure support. Check resistance-band anchors. Adult supervision; avoid marbles and small objects if the child may put them in their mouth, using a towel instead.
Avoid: Forcing a painful or unauthorised movement; Increasing load, resistance or frequency without the agreed rest periods; Doing balance exercises without stable support or supervision.
1.Ball massage (plantar fascia and arch)
Relaxes the tight plantar fascia typical of cavus foot
Use a tennis ball or specific massage ball (harder). Sit on chair with bare foot on ball. Roll ball back and forth along entire sole, from arch to heel. Apply moderate but comfortable pressure. Focus more on tighter areas. A protected cool ball may provide relief if comfortable. Wrap the cold object in a cloth, check the skin frequently and stop for discomfort, numbness or colour change. Avoid cold on skin with impaired sensation or circulation; it is for comfort, not a guaranteed anti-inflammatory treatment.
3-5 minutes per foot, 1-2 times daily. Ideal before other exercises
2.Plantar fascia stretch (passive)
Stretches the plantar fascia and rigid plantar structures
Seated, cross leg to treat over other. Grasp toe base with one hand and gently pull toward shin (toe dorsiflexion). With other hand, can palpate plantar fascia under arch - should feel tight like a cord. Hold position without forcing, breathing normally.
3 × 30 seconds per foot, morning and evening
3.Calf stretch (gastrocnemius and soleus)
Improves ankle flexibility, often limited in cavus foot
Facing wall, hands on it. Leg to stretch behind with heel on ground and toe straight. FOR GASTROCNEMIUS: knee completely straight. FOR SOLEUS: knee slightly bent. Push hips forward until feeling tension in back of leg. Heel must stay on ground.
3 × 30 seconds per position, per leg. Repeat 2-3 times daily
4.Toe mobilization
Maintains toe flexibility often stiff in cavus foot
Seated, actively bend and straighten the toes within a comfortable range, then try spreading them without using your hands. Do not twist the toes or force a stiff deformity. Any indicated manual mobilisation should be demonstrated individually.
1-2 minutes per foot, daily
5.Intrinsic muscle strengthening (short-foot and toe yoga)
Strengthens small foot muscles to improve control
SHORT-FOOT: Standing or seated, "shorten" foot creating dome with arch without curling toes. Toes must stay flat! Hold 5-10 seconds. TOE YOGA: Lift only big toe keeping others down, then reverse. Alternate with control. These strengthen deep foot muscles for stability.
10 reps per exercise, twice daily
6.Object pick-up with toes
Functional foot muscle strengthening in playful way
Scatter fabric pieces or socks on the floor. Standing or seated, pick them up one at a time using ONLY toes and place in container. Focus on actively curling toes to grasp. Advanced: try with objects of different sizes and shapes, or pass object between feet. Use fabric pieces or socks large enough not to be swallowed, with adult supervision. Avoid marbles, coins, buttons and other small objects, including within reach of younger siblings.
10-15 objects per foot, once daily
7.Balance on firm ground
Improves proprioception often reduced in cavus foot
After clearance for weight bearing, start on firm ground with eyes open, next to a secure support and with adult supervision. Place the other foot down before losing balance. Progress to an unstable surface or eyes-closed work only under direct professional supervision; do not add these challenges independently. Stop for pain or instability.
3 × 30-60 seconds each side, at each reached level
RED FLAGS - When to stop and contact the doctor immediately
Stop the exercises immediately and contact the specialist (or go to the emergency department if severe) if any of the following occur:
- Acute or sudden pain during exercise
- Significant swelling after exercises
- Pain that progressively worsens over days
- Fever or general malaise
- Difficulty walking or using the limb after exercises
- Any neurological symptoms (tingling, numbness, sudden weakness)
- A red or hot joint, or inability to bear weight: seek prompt assessment; use emergency care if severe.
In case of doubt, always prefer a check-up over continuing the exercises.
Dott. Daniele Priano
Paediatric Orthopaedics - ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO
Content version: 21 September 2026
ortopediaevolutiva.com • Printed: 18/10/2026
Full sheet and videoshttps://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/foot-ankle/cavus-foot
Prepare the visit handout
Use the condition and phase indicated by your clinician. You can leave out individual exercises; instructions, illustrations and safety advice remain together.
Exclude exercises if needed
7 of 7 exercise cards included
The full web page remains available. Your selection is not saved or shared.
Before You Start
Who is this guide for?
Children with cavus foot, after neurological evaluation if indicated. Exercises aim to improve flexibility and balance.
What you need
A stable, clear surface, comfortable clothing and a secure support. Check resistance-band anchors. Adult supervision; avoid marbles and small objects if the child may put them in their mouth, using a towel instead.
Suggested frequency
Perform only the exercises selected during the visit. The listed dosages are examples to adapt: follow the dose, frequency, rest and progression prescribed for age, symptoms and phase. Do not automatically perform the whole list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Forcing a painful or unauthorised movement
- •Increasing load, resistance or frequency without the agreed rest periods
- •Doing balance exercises without stable support or supervision
⚠️ Red flags — when to stop and contact the doctor immediately
Stop exercises immediately and contact the specialist if any of the following occur:
- Acute or sudden pain during exercise
- Significant swelling after exercises
- Pain that progressively worsens over days
- Fever or general malaise
- Difficulty walking or using the limb after exercises
- Any neurological symptoms (tingling, numbness, sudden weakness)
- A red or hot joint, or inability to bear weight: seek prompt assessment; use emergency care if severe.
Detailed Exercises
- 1
Ball massage (plantar fascia and arch)
Relaxes the tight plantar fascia typical of cavus foot
Use a tennis ball or specific massage ball (harder). Sit on chair with bare foot on ball. Roll ball back and forth along entire sole, from arch to heel. Apply moderate but comfortable pressure. Focus more on tighter areas. A protected cool ball may provide relief if comfortable. Wrap the cold object in a cloth, check the skin frequently and stop for discomfort, numbness or colour change. Avoid cold on skin with impaired sensation or circulation; it is for comfort, not a guaranteed anti-inflammatory treatment.
3-5 minutes per foot, 1-2 times daily. Ideal before other exercisesGentle ball roll under the foot
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
- 2
Plantar fascia stretch (passive)
Stretches the plantar fascia and rigid plantar structures
Seated, cross leg to treat over other. Grasp toe base with one hand and gently pull toward shin (toe dorsiflexion). With other hand, can palpate plantar fascia under arch - should feel tight like a cord. Hold position without forcing, breathing normally.
3 × 30 seconds per foot, morning and eveningGentle plantar fascia stretch
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
- 3
Calf stretch (gastrocnemius and soleus)
Improves ankle flexibility, often limited in cavus foot
Facing wall, hands on it. Leg to stretch behind with heel on ground and toe straight. FOR GASTROCNEMIUS: knee completely straight. FOR SOLEUS: knee slightly bent. Push hips forward until feeling tension in back of leg. Heel must stay on ground.
3 × 30 seconds per position, per leg. Repeat 2-3 times dailyWall calf stretch straight knee
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
Wall calf stretch bent knee
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
- 4
Toe mobilization
Maintains toe flexibility often stiff in cavus foot
Seated, actively bend and straighten the toes within a comfortable range, then try spreading them without using your hands. Do not twist the toes or force a stiff deformity. Any indicated manual mobilisation should be demonstrated individually.
1-2 minutes per foot, dailyActive toe movement
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
- 5
Intrinsic muscle strengthening (short-foot and toe yoga)
Strengthens small foot muscles to improve control
SHORT-FOOT: Standing or seated, "shorten" foot creating dome with arch without curling toes. Toes must stay flat! Hold 5-10 seconds. TOE YOGA: Lift only big toe keeping others down, then reverse. Alternate with control. These strengthen deep foot muscles for stability.
10 reps per exercise, twice dailyToe yoga
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
Short foot exercise
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
- 6
Object pick-up with toes
Functional foot muscle strengthening in playful way
Scatter fabric pieces or socks on the floor. Standing or seated, pick them up one at a time using ONLY toes and place in container. Focus on actively curling toes to grasp. Advanced: try with objects of different sizes and shapes, or pass object between feet. Use fabric pieces or socks large enough not to be swallowed, with adult supervision. Avoid marbles, coins, buttons and other small objects, including within reach of younger siblings.
10-15 objects per foot, once dailyPicking up a large sock with your toes
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
- 7
Balance on firm ground
Improves proprioception often reduced in cavus foot
After clearance for weight bearing, start on firm ground with eyes open, next to a secure support and with adult supervision. Place the other foot down before losing balance. Progress to an unstable surface or eyes-closed work only under direct professional supervision; do not add these challenges independently. Stop for pain or instability.
3 × 30-60 seconds each side, at each reached levelSingle leg balance
Illustrated video with a synthetic voice and English text in the film. Press Play to load YouTube. Follow the instructions and precautions on this exercise sheet. Open on YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes cavus foot in children?
Cavus foot can be idiopathic (unknown cause), hereditary, or secondary to neurological conditions. In children, specialist evaluation is important to exclude underlying causes and set up correct treatment.
Does cavus foot cause pain?
Cavus foot can cause pain due to non-optimal load distribution on the foot, with more pressure on heel and metatarsals. Stretching and strengthening exercises help improve flexibility and weight distribution.
Are orthotics needed for cavus foot?
Soft orthotics with metatarsal support can help distribute load better and reduce pain. The decision is made based on individual clinical evaluation. Exercises are still essential for maintaining flexibility.