If you have heel pain, it can be caused by many things; plantar fasciitis, posterior tibialis tendinitis, etc. Another cause of heel pain can be irritation of the fat pad that protects the heel bone from the ground you walk on.
The Heel Fat Pad
Underneath your heel bone is a deposit of fatty tissue. This helps protect your bone from the ground you walk, run, and jump on. The human body is amazing and has developed protection within the body. The heel fat pad is one of these things (there are other fat pads in the body for protection as well). Bursae are also throughout the body (fluid filled sacs) to help add protection from external and internal pressures.
The heel fat pad is prone to disruption or injury due to overuse or high impact. It protects the heel bone and the connection to that bone of the plantar fascia. It is made of fatty cells and is about 1-2cm in thickness.
Fat Pad Injury
The fat pad can become injured from many things. The heel takes up to 110% of your bodyweight when you walk and over 200% of your body weight with things like running and jumping. It is nice to have the extra layer of protection for your heel bone.
You can injure your fat pad and cause yourself to have heel pain. It will feel like a deep bruise to the heel of your foot. You may notice worse heel pain with extended periods of walking or standing. It may be tender to deep touch in the middle of the heel. Most of the time you will only feel this on one heel, not both.
Causes of Fat Pad Irritation
Most causes of Fat Pad Irritation involve over use or a sudden increase in the amount of use. They include, but are not limited to the following:
Walking or running barefoot
Increased running or jumping activities
Gait imbalance (maybe due to other injuries)
Plantar Fasciitis
Being Overweight
With some rest and proper training, most all of these causes can be reversed and/or treated.
If you have heel pain for any reason, join our foot and ankle pain group for active adults here to find out answers to your symptoms.
Comments