The Differences Between Fat Pad Atrophy in Older and Younger Individuals
Fat pad atrophy is typically associated with the elderly audience, as the fat pad naturally thins over time. However, this condition can affect younger people too, which is why understanding the non-age-related causes is important for us at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center to accurately diagnose and manage it. Let’s explore the differences between fat pad atrophy in younger and older patients.
What is Fat Pad Atrophy?
The fat pads on the soles of our feet, particularly under the heel and ball of the foot, act as shock absorbers that provide cushioning and protect the underlying bones and joints. When these fat pads thin or diminish, it's called fat pad atrophy.
Fat Pad Atrophy in Seniors
On a biological level, fat pad atrophy is a natural part of the aging process. The main reason they are prone to wear and tear is decreased collagen production. With age, the collagen and elastin fibers within the fat pads deteriorate, which leads to a loss of elasticity and thickness.
The actual size and volume of the fat cells in the pads also decrease with age, which hinders the body’s ability to regenerate and repair heel tissue.
Older adults who have led active, athletic lifestyles, or those who have had diabetes and are obese, are more likely to lose heel fat later in life. However, seniors are not the only ones who experience fat pad atrophy!
Fat Pad Atrophy in Young People
The term atrophy, when it comes to younger individuals, becomes controversial. While there may be little to cause degeneration of fat at a young age, there is evidence to suggest heel pad displacement or injury to the heel pad.
This is why, unlike with age-related fat pad atrophy, symptoms and pain may be more localized and related to specific activities, as they may be accompanied by other signs of the causative condition.
Repetitive and intense sports like running and jumping can place excessive stress on the fat pads, but this typically occurs due to injuries in the forefoot that, in turn, displace the fat pad from its original position. Similarly, a direct injury to the foot, such as a fracture or dislocation, can damage the fat pads.
Besides injury or damage to fat pads, medical conditions like obesity can accelerate their actual degeneration in younger individuals. Other medical conditions include:
Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation.
Connective Tissue Disorders: Certain disorders that affect connective tissue, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Steroid Injections: Repeated corticosteroid injections into the foot, often used to treat other conditions.
Foot Structure: Some individuals may have a foot structure that predisposes them to fat pad atrophy, such as high arches, which can concentrate pressure on certain areas.
At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.