The thick pads of fat on your heels are critical to the comfort you experience as you stand and walk. When these pads begin to thin, it can cause pain and expose your heels to injury and stress.
Fortunately, you can prevent heel fat pad atrophy through simple lifestyle changes and by consulting with a podiatrist.
Aging
The fat pads that cushion your heels and the ball of the foot absorb shock, distribute pressure and prevent your heel bones from touching the ground when you walk or stand. Unfortunately, a natural part of the aging process causes these pads to shrink and lose their elasticity. This leaves your feet vulnerable to stress and injury and can increase the risk of pain.
As you get older, your hormone levels decline, which accelerates the loss of protective fatty tissue in your heel fat pads. Combined with the natural wear and tear of an active lifestyle, this makes you more susceptible to heel fat pad atrophy.
A high body weight can compress the pads, causing them to thin and break down. Heel fat pad atrophy also occurs due to repetitive activities that place a lot of stress on the pads, such as running or jumping. Foot conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases can also cause inflammation, which can displace or damage the pads. In addition, repeated corticosteroid injections can break down the fat pads.
Heel fat pad atrophy can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can make it difficult to maintain a job that requires prolonged standing or participate in recreational activities. It can even cause you to avoid social events, because going out to walk with friends or dance becomes painful.
Excessive Walking or Running
The heel fat pad is a dense, thick pad of fatty tissue that cushions and absorbs the force of your feet hitting the ground while walking, running or jumping. The natural aging process, high impact activities that require repetitive stress of the heel, carrying excess body weight and certain medical conditions can all cause your heel fat pad to shrink, thin or lose its elasticity. Symptoms of this condition include a deep pain in the center of your heel.
Heel fat pad atrophy exposes the heel bone to increased pressure, resulting in pain and causing damage over time. Excessive walking or running and wearing unsupportive footwear can increase the risk of developing this problem. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to this condition by increasing the deterioration of the heel fat pad.
If you are experiencing a chronic heel pain, it is important to see a sports podiatrist. They will perform a physical exam of your foot and ankle and ask you to describe your exercise and activity history. They may also recommend x-rays or ultrasound to assess the thickness and elasticity of your heel fat pad. If the pad is too thin or losing its elasticity, your podiatrist can provide conservative treatments to reduce pain and inflammation and prevent further injury.
Unsupportive Shoes
If you wear shoes that don’t provide good support for your feet, they may increase the pressure on your heels, causing the natural fat pad to thin and shrink. Over time, this may also cause the heel bone to reshape and form a bony protrusion on the bottom of your foot called a heel spur. This can lead to pain as it rubs against the long tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot — the plantar fascia. The pain from this friction is usually most intense first thing in the morning or after a prolonged period of standing.
Choosing well-fitting shoes and limiting your time in high-impact activities can help reduce the likelihood of fat pad atrophy. You can also protect your heel by wearing cushioned shoe inserts, which redistribute the weight of your body and help reduce the impact on your heel.
Fat pad atrophy can affect your quality of life, making it harder to walk, run or stand for extended periods of time. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, you can ease your pain and prevent further damage. For instance, calf raises and ball massages can strengthen the lower leg muscles and improve the way your foot moves, reducing stress on your heel. Specialized shoe inserts and regenerative procedures can also help. If you suffer from heel pain, talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for you.
Prolonged Standing
If you spend the majority of your time standing or working on hard surfaces, you are more likely to develop fat pad atrophy. This condition causes pain in the ball of the foot, and it can affect your quality of life. Mild cases of the condition may go unnoticed, but more serious issues can make you reluctant to walk or participate in high-impact activities.
Heel fat pad atrophy is common, but it can be prevented. Maintaining a healthy weight, wearing supportive shoes and not participating in excessive walking or running can help you avoid the problem. You can also speak with a podiatrist about your feet and determine whether you have structural issues that are contributing to the problem.
Heel fat pad atrophy is a common condition that can cause significant pain and discomfort in the ball of your foot. It is often caused by a combination of factors, including aging, excessive walking or running, wearing unsupportive shoes and being overweight. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to visit your local podiatrist as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the condition and provide you with effective treatment options. They may recommend a variety of non-surgical treatments, such as shoe inserts or orthotics. In severe cases, they may recommend surgery to restore the integrity of your heel fat pad.