Fat Pad Restoration
WHAT IS IT?
Fat pad restoration is a foot treatment that restores the body’s natural cushioning to the bottom of the foot. This is done in a variety of ways depending on the cause and location of the pain. As you age, your body’s natural fat on the bottom of the foot is lost. This is called fat pad atrophy, and it is common in both men and women.
Fat pad atrophy can cause pain on the ball of the foot. This is the common cause of discomfort, it has caused women to run away from wearing high heels or walking barefoot. Many people attempt to correct the issue by wearing highly cushioned insoles. However, these insoles are often not practical, as they limit footwear choices and do not eliminate the pain while barefoot.
TREATMENT
Injectable fillers have been in dermatology and plastic surgery and are now often used in the foot. This is an in-office procedure with little downtime and is a quick solution for foot pain that can keep you out of surgery. Whether you want to wear high heels, walk barefoot, or exercise, this treatment is a great option.
Leneva is the newest treatment and the first of its kind, an injectable fat graft used for fat pad restoration. It is an Adipose Allograft Matrix (AAM) which is a graft of human adipose tissue that is designed to support your body's own tissue regeneration process. When placed into the foot it works to build fat tissue over the course of twelve weeks. The graft is safe to use has been shown to provide new soft tissue thickness and has improved the quality of skin conditions such as corns, calluses, and skin ulceration as seen in diabetics or neuropathy patients.
CAUSES
There are a number of conditions that can accelerate the breakdown of fat pads on the bottom of your feet. When these conditions develop, fat pad atrophy can occur as well. Sometimes, fat pad restoration can aid in the treatment of other foot conditions by enhancing comfort and restoring your ability to move.
Conditions that can sometimes be treated with fillers and fat pad restoration: Bunions, hammer toe, corns, calluses, diabetic ulcerations, neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, neuroma’s, metatarsalgia, and bone friction.
Symptoms of foot pad atrophy are burning in the ball of the foot, feeling like you are walking on pebbles, bunched up sock feeling under your toes, pounding feeling, and pressure sores.