Plantar fat pad atrophy. Never knew it had a name but I have always had sensitive feet and have had to take precautions most of my adult life. Often felt like the balls of my feet were bruised playing sports or just walking in poorly cushioned shoes. So I have always supplemented my shoes with padded insoles. I wear rockports instead of leather soled shoes for work. Extra cushioned socks help. Leather soles kill my feet terribly. I walk four miles each day but inside my already cushioned walking shoes I have an additional padded insole. Just the cost of being on my feet I have adapted to long ago. Without such precautions it feels like someone took a hammer to the balls of my feet. It could be worse.

My wife has it. It's from cortisone shots in the foot that she got years ago from having plantars fasciatis. I begged her not to get the shots but she did anyway. That can (and in her case did) cause permanent fat pad loss to her heel. Nothing can be done about it. Don't get Cortisone shots.

If she were just a lot more active about stretching her foot and wearing splints at night for the PF, she wouldn't have it. A lot of conventional doc treatments, IMO, make things worse, not better.

I have very little fat left in my heels. I've had plantar fasciitis many times and have gone through Physical Therapy for it. I'm not sure what causes the fat to atrophy but it sure can be painful.

I am 48 and already feel it on carpet. Birkenstock’s indoors. Podiatrists recommend good supportive indoor shoes vs slippers. See your full service shoe store for fit & brands vs discount stores yet any shoe is better than nothing. Go for the supportive tho as u only have 1 set of feet and pain is a *kitten*. I have intermittent plantar fasciitis and good shoes really help.

My wife finds those Tuli's heavy duty heel cups to be the best relief. We've tried a bunch of things but she loves those. It's like foam that cups your heel and replaces the fat for cushion. They are really cheap and last a long time.

My grandfather had fat loss on the feet. But he was in his 90s when it started.

MostlyWater wrote: »

Updated to report that I saw a different dr, had an MRI, and was diagnosed with a ripped plantar plate and heel spurs.

I have plenty of FAT!!!

Yikes: No wonder it hurt! Do you have a treatment plan now that sounds promising, I hope?

Sending wishes for improvement!

Thanks for the update: Glad to hear you're on an improving path! :flowerforyou: