BALL OF FOOT
The unique combination of podiatry and plastic surgery is what sets us apart.
Do you feel like you are walking on bone? Loss of fat under the ball of the foot can give a bruised sensation or constant aching pain when standing or walking. Most patients avoid walking as much as possible, park close to store entrances, and give up their activities with friends and family. Patients use highly cushioned shoes, try many inserts and pads but report these modalities only help a little. Compensating for the foot pain can lead to other conditions like knee, hip, and back pain.
What Causes Fat Pad Atrophy of the Ball of Foot?
- neuroma excision
- cortisone injections
- scar tissue
- bruised bone
- stress fracture
- hammertoe
- prominent forefoot bone
- medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and diabetes
Fat pad atrophy is a diagnosis of exclusion. That means there is no “ exact measurement” that will diagnose fat pad atrophy, however when other treatments fail to relieve patients forefoot pain symptoms, fat pad atrophy should be considered and evaluated as a source of one’s chronic forefoot pain.
Our Solution:
Fat grafting uses your own natural fat to replace the missing fat in your feet. No foreign material and no rejection. We take fat from one part of your body where you do not need it (like your hips, thighs, or belly) using small liposuction tubes and transplant it to the bottom of the foot. This is a safe, minimally invasive procedure done under local anesthesia, with no sutures. Our 2-year randomized clinical trials demonstrate improved pain and quality of life out to two years after the procedure, without any repeat injections.