Fat Pad Atrophy
The Condition
The specialized fat pad at the weigh bearing surface of our heel and forefoot act as a shock absorbing cushion. This tissue can shrink and shift with age and use. The change in anatomy predisposes individuals to develop problems such as neuromas, metatarsalgia, capsulitis, bursitis and some forms of heel pain. These conditions can make walking and standing painful and laborious. Common symptoms for patients with fat pad atrophy include foot pain that gets worse when standing and walking, toes that may feel as if they go numb, loss of tissue volume, and calluses that form over areas of bone prominence.
The Treatment
There are multiple conservative options available to restore the volume at the forefoot and rejuvenate the lost tissue. Dermal fillers and injectable adipose allografts are materials used to restore tissue volume to areas of atrophy and loss. Treatment options may also include the fabrication of custom-made orthotic devices to pad and offload bone prominences. Surgery may be beneficial depending upon the cause of the fat pad atrophy and the location.
To schedule a consultation for this service, please call JCMG Podiatry at (573) 556-7724.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leneva® is a first-of-its-kind human adipose tissue that may be used for tissue reconstruction, replacement and reinforcement of damaged or inadequate integumental adipose tissue matrix. As an all-natural extracellular adipose matrix, Leneva is a safe, natural, off-the-shelf solution that has multiple clinical applications including, but not limited to: the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers and Tunneling Wounds. Leneva is also indicated for use in patients that have Fat Pad atrophy and volume loss. It can also be used in Fat Pad Reconstruction Procedures.
Leneva is an off-the-shelf injectable human adipose tissue that is designed to support your body’s own tissue regeneration process.
It is an extracellular matrix that functions as a scaffold for cells to create new fat which help to augment areas of loss, and in turn, increase tissue density. It has been shown to significantly increase adipocyte formation in injected hosts.
Leneva is a tissue allograft which is derived from donated human adipose (human fat).
Leneva undergoes strict processing designed to maintain the structural integrity of the tissue without sacrificing quality and sterility. This process allows for retention of key matrix proteins such as Collagen IV and Collagen VI as well as adipogenic and angiogenic factors leptin, adiponectin, FGF-2 and VEGF, while successfully removing residual lipid, cellular fragments, and DNA content.
The injection process is simple and is performed as a short in-office procedure. The affected areas of concern are identified and the material selected is injected to provide relief where the volume loss has occurred. An immediate improvement can be observed following the procedure in most cases. Recovery requires a short period of non-weight bearing to protect the injected material so it’s not compressed, which can extrude the material into the adjacent tissues.
The dermal filler material is broken down over time and is absorbed by the body naturally. The filler can last for up to 3 months or longer depending upon the injection location, patient body weight, and activity level.
Leneva helps to restore the lost tissue volume on a more permanent basis. However with age, fluctuation in weight, activity level and other compounding factors patients can still have additional and continued fat pad atrophy. This process may occur overtime regardless if treatment is rendered. This is a part of the aging process and can be frustrating for patients affected by this condition.
If conservative treatment options fail to relieve the pain associated with the condition, surgery may be indicated.
Surgical procedures such as the restoration of the bone position to alleviate