Fat Pad Atrophy Treatment

Over time, the fat at the bottom of your feet can be lost or change its position. When this happens, walking and standing can become extremely painful, with a feeling like you’re stepping on pebbles or directly on the bone. Calluses and hardened tissue can appear, further exacerbating the problem. This is known as fat pad atrophy, and if you suffer from this condition, you will know that it can be debilitating at times.

For effective relief, you can have a podiatrist perform restorative treatment for foot pad cushioning if you reside in Boynton Beach. The results are long-term and provide a night and day difference.

Learn more about fat pad atrophy, how it occurs, and what the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center can do to help.

Call and schedule an appointment with Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, top podiatrists in Boca Raton, FL, or Boynton Beach, FL, at (561)-750-3033.

Understanding Fat Pad Atrophy

The loss of foot pad cushioning can affect anyone, although the problem usually occurs with age or in people who perform frequent high-impact exercises like running and jogging. Genetics also plays a role in the development of this condition. Fat pads provide cushioning under a healthy foot, protecting the bones during movement. As the fat is broken down or moved, the pain will start to occur.

Cushioning is lost either at the ball of the foot (just behind the toes) or in the heel. Some people develop fat pad atrophy in both regions.

When you walk, the pressure on the heel is equivalent to around 2.5 times your body weight. This can lead to severe pain that reduces your ability to exercise or even perform simple daily tasks. This could impact your personal life, work, and even your mental health.

Dealing with ongoing pain that affects mobility is not easy. With the help of a podiatrist in Boynton Beach, you could restore foot pad cushioning and enjoy a fuller and more active lifestyle.

Symptoms That Suggest You Need Treatment for Foot Pad Cushioning

Pain is one of the most obvious symptoms of fat pad atrophy, but it’s not the only one. Learn the symptoms and warning signs and talk to your podiatrist if you think you are suffering from this condition.

Symptoms and telltale signs of fat pad atrophy include:

  • Pain under the heel or ball of the foot when walking on a hard surface without shoes.
  • A burning sensation in the heel or ball of the foot that becomes more severe with activity.
  • Dull aching in the heel.
  • Being able to feel your heel bone or bones under the ball of your feet through a thin layer of fat.
  • Pain increases the more active you are.
  • A knocking sound, rather than a soft patter, when you walk on a hard surface.

Note that some pain symptoms may be related to plantar fasciitis, another condition that requires the attention of a Boynton Beach podiatrist. If you feel foot pain in the morning that diminishes with activity, then it’s likely that fat pad atrophy is not the cause.

All types of foot pain can be examined by the specialists at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center.

Complications of Fat Pad Atrophy

Restoring footpad cushioning can improve comfort and mobility. Even more importantly, treatment can prevent the risk of complications.

The natural fat in your feet provides cushioning which makes it more comfortable to walk. It also protects bones from damage by lessening the impact of hard surfaces. Stress fractures are a possibility if you don’t receive treatment from a podiatrist. Don’t delay if you’ve experienced any of the symptoms listed above.

Calluses can also form over the areas of the feet where the fat pads are degraded. These can become painful over time. Calluses can be removed when you seek restoration for foot pad cushioning in Boynton Beach.

How We Correct Problems with Foot Pad Cushioning in Boynton Beach

 

There are three potential treatments offered by experienced podiatrists at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center.

  • Injectable fillers can be used to replace lost fat, giving you a comfortable gait no matter your age. This treatment is popular for cases that aren’t highly advanced. It is quick, relatively painless, and you can walk out of the practice with cushioned feet for the first time in years. Fillers are most suitable for high-pressure areas.
  • Fat Pad Surgery is another option that can be used if fat pad atrophy is treated in conjunction with other conditions. This procedure will use a graft that is layered in the ball or heel of the foot to provide additional padding. For details on fat pad surgery, book a consultation with Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus.
  • Fat Pad Transfer, or autolipotransplantation, will take available fat from the stomach or buttocks or legs to be transferred to the site of fat pad atrophy in the foot. This procedure has a few weeks of recovery time but the results can last for years.

The right treatment for you will depend on your condition and unique circumstances. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your options for the restoration of foot pad cushioning in Boynton Beach.

Podiatrists at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center can provide relief for painful fat pad atrophy. Restore fat pads and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle that is free of foot pain.

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Boca Raton, FL, and Boynton Beach, FL. He has over 20 years of experience and specializes in foot and ankle conditions like bunions, fat pad atrophy, and sports medicine. Dr. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. He's one of only 10 board-certified Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgeons in Palm Beach County. Dr. Gold has been featured in highly authoritative publications like HuffPost, PureWow, and Yahoo!

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus , DPM - Podiatrist in Boca Raton, FL

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus DPM, RPhs, FACFAS

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus, DPM, RPhs, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Boca Raton, FL, and Boynton Beach, FL. She has over 20 years of experience and specializes in foot, ankle, and leg vein conditions like spider and varicose veins and sclerotherapy. Dr. Jodi holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan, and she earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Schoenhaus has performed FDA-approved research and has been published in the National Library of Medicine and PubMed. Dr. Jodi has been featured in highly authoritative publications like Cosmopolitan, Lifehacker, Parade, New York Post, and Yahoo!, among others.