Your foot is one of the few places in your body where you never want to lose fat. When you stand and walk, extreme pressure is applied to the underside of your foot. In a healthy body, fatty foot pads provide cushioning to prevent pain and discomfort. If the fat is lost or displaced, normal activities can become excruciatingly painful, to the point where it becomes difficult to move at all. Here is how you can prevent the loss of fat pad in the foot.
If you feel like you are walking on pebbles, then you could be suffering from a condition called foot pad atrophy. This condition progresses with age, and it can become debilitating if you don’t get the right treatment.
Learn how to identify this problem and see how treatment for foot pad atrophy in Boynton Beach could restore your comfort and mobility.
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The Symptoms and Causes of Loss Fat Pad in the Foot
Foot pad atrophy can affect both males and females. The natural cushioning of the foot breaks down with age. Most people will experience the problem from around the age of 50, with symptoms becoming progressively worse.
The most persistent problems include:
- Intense pain when walking or standing for long periods, particularly when not wearing shoes.
- Lingering foot pain in the evenings when sitting or in bed.
- Calluses forming underneath the heel or balls of the feet.
- Ongoing dull ache in the heel.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you may need restorative treatment for foot fat pad.
While age is a constant risk factor, there are others that can increase the chances of developing fat pad atrophy.
These include:
- Walking barefoot often on hard surfaces.
- Genetics – if a parent or other relative has developed foot pad atrophy, you are more at risk.
- Being overweight or obese.
- High engagement in sports that involve running.
- Wearing high heels.
Don’t ignore the symptoms if they develop, particularly if you can relate to any of the risk factors above. A podiatrist can perform a full examination to identify foot pad atrophy and recommend an effective treatment.
Can Special Footwear Help Alleviate the Loss of Fat Pad in the Foot?
If you suffer from a lost foot pad, you will likely notice that the problem becomes more apparent when you are walking barefoot on hard surfaces. Special footwear can help alleviate the symptoms, but this is not a permanent solution.
There are two options available if you need short-term support before getting treatment for foot pad cushioning in Boynton Beach.
- The first option would be to purchase orthopedic insoles to place inside your normal footwear.
- There are shoes that you can wear that are designed for people with fat pad atrophy.
Both of these options do provide effective relief for the loss of foot pad cushioning. However, if your condition is highly advanced, orthotics will only temporarily relieve pain without providing any long-term benefits.
Both insoles and special orthopedic shoes rely on similar technologies. They use form-fitting foam cushioning to provide extra support and alleviate pain. While these shoes and insoles can be relied upon for everyday comfort, if you want a long-term solution without the risk of progressing your foot pad atrophy, you will need to consult with an expert.
What are the Medical Treatments for Foot Pad Cushioning in Boynton Beach?
At the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, you will receive expert care from Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus and Dr. Jason Gold. As board-certified foot and ankle specialists, they use the latest procedures and most innovative treatments to correct foot pad atrophy.
Fat pad surgery is one option available to you. This is often used when treating other conditions, such as bunions. A tissue graft creates a layered cushion under your skin, providing padding between the sole of your foot and the bones at the front or back.
To replace the fat that is lost from the foot, a fat transfer is another procedure available. Autolipotransplantation is a surgical procedure used to transfer fat from your stomach or buttocks, to the heel or ball of the foot. This restores natural cushioning, giving you the freedom to walk without pain or discomfort, no matter what kind of footwear you use.
Our podiatrists in Boynton Beach will discuss the benefits and potential risks of both procedures so that you can make an informed decision. If you want the best care, with empathetic and highly experienced medical staff, it’s time to schedule your consultation at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center.
Visit a Foot Doctor in Boynton Beach for Expert Care
If you’re suffering from pain that you think could be related to foot pad atrophy, you’ll need a complete medical examination to get down to the root cause.
At the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, you can talk to our experienced podiatrists for diagnosis, treatment, and surgical procedures.
Losing your mobility will have a significant impact on your life. Independence is important, especially as you approach your golden years. By treating foot pad atrophy, you can enjoy normal activities with friends and family again.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take advantage of the most advanced treatments for foot pad atrophy in Boynton Beach.
