Think about how often you need to replace your tennis shoes.
Why do they need replacing? It’s because the cushioning and support of the shoe wears down. That’s to be expected after miles of walking, running, and exercising. They simply wear out.
Now think about how often you replace your feet.
Now, I know that sounds like a ridiculous thought. But your feet have a certain amount of natural fat cushioning. That cushioning is meant to last a lifetime. Even so, it can break down with all the miles of walking, running, and exercising you expose them to.
When patients come into the office complaining like they feel like they’re walking on rocks, it’s due to 3 reasons.
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The natural fat pad has worn away
This is called Fat Pad Atrophy. It’s the wear and tear on the natural fat cushioning. The “rocks” you’re feeling are the heads of the metatarsal bones. Without the fat cushioning, you’re more likely to feel them when you’re not wearing shoes. Also, when you walk barefoot on a hard floor.
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You have thick, deep calluses on the bottom of your feet
In areas of pressure, calluses form. When the fat pad has worn away, these calluses build up to try to cushion the area beneath the bones. Unfortunately, when that happens the pressure increases and they become painful. Many of you come into the office for me to pare down these calluses and provide temporary relief. But, imagine if you could have relief that was more lasting.
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Your metatarsal arch has fallen
The metatarsal arch goes across the forefoot, beneath your metatarsal bones. If you have a high-arched foot, the metatarsal arch is naturally lower. In other foot types, the arch can drop over time. Again, because of a lack of natural fat cushioning, you may feel like you’re walking on rocks.
In some of these cases, custom orthotics or pads can be helpful to provide support and cushioning. So often, people ask half-jokingly “Can’t you just squeeze some fat into my foot?” I always responded that I wish I could.
But now I can!
I'd like to introduce you to Leneva. Leneva is sterile human adipose tissue. Meaning, it's a syringe of sterile fat. I'm able to inject the Leneva graft into the area that feels like you're walking on rocks. It can be injected beneath a painful callus. But, it's not simply working to cushion the area. It's so much better than that!
After the injection, the Leneva graft serves as a scaffold for your body to create new fat tissue. In fact, over the next twelve weeks, your body will be producing new fat. This will cushion the ball of your foot, your heel, or any other area that is painful because of fat pad atrophy.
It's time to stop walking on rocks. It's time to start walking on air! Contact the office to schedule an immediate appointment to see if you are a candidate for fat pad replacement with Leneva.
