Fat Pad Atrophy Injections

Fat pad atrophy injection is an innovative human allograft adipose tissue that is injected into an area that is lacking cushioning or fat. It helps your body to turn the injected substance into your own fat with the goal of helping offload the area.

What is Fat Pad Atrophy Injections are Used for:

  • There are multiple indications for adipose injections but what we mainly use them for in podiatry is to add fat or cushioning to an area on the foot that is irritated from a lack of fat, fat pad atrophy or a displaced fat pad. 
  • As we age the fat stores in our skin deplete leaving us with less cushioning, which on the bottom of the foot is needed to help us walk without pain. If an area gets too much pressure from a lack of fat then pain, a callus or pressure ulceration can develop. 

What to Expect:

  • Once our doctors decide that a Fat Pad Atrophy injection could be a beneficial procedure for you, they will numb the affected area with a small amount of anesthetic. Once numb the allograft adipose is injected to the area.
  • The patient will be required to stay off the foot in our office for 30 minutes post- injection to ensure the substance does not disperse to a different area upon weight bearing. 
  • Our doctors will offload the injected area by placing a felt pad either directly on the foot or in your shoe to help contain the fat injection to the area until your body converts it to fat through the processes of angiogenesis and adipogenesis, which takes 7-14 days. 
  • The patient can walk on the area afterwards once the offloading pad is applied. 
  • The maximum benefit from the injection will be reached by 10-12 weeks post- injection as by this time your body has converted all of the injected substance into fat. 

How long does it last:

  • There are a number of factors that determine the length of time that the fat will last including each patients weight, activity level and level of deformity but in general the injection will last 6 months to a year before it can be determined if any additional injections are needed. 

Cost:

  • Fat Pad Atrophy injections are currently a cash service and not covered by insurance. The price varies based on the amount of fat that needs to injected which is determined by the area that is affected. 
  • We recommend that you call our office and schedule a Fat Pad Atrophy Injection consult to determine if you are a good candidate for a  and what size injection would be indicated which will determine the cost.