Does Running Lead To A Loss Of Natural Fat Pads On The Sole Of The Foot?

Runners put their bodies through plenty of stress, and the soles of their feet are their first line of defense. Fat pads located along the soles provide an extra layer of shock absorption between the skin and the tendons and bones. Running over a long period, in combination with other factors, can lead to a loss of these natural fat pads.

Features

Fat pads are located primarily beneath the heel and ball of each foot. They act as extra forms of shock absorption when running. Under the heel, a fat pad can be as thick as one inch, according to the Foot Pain Relief Store. Each pad is separated into ligamentous sections that keep it in place and unable to spread outward to other parts of the sole.

Atrophy

Atrophy is a condition in which a fat pad's ligamentous sections become stretched -- due to injury or other contributing factor -- causing the pad to spread, according to the Foot Pain Relief Store. This results in less cushioning and may produce severe pain when the foot in question is repeatedly pounding the pavement or track surface.

Ball of the Foot

The fat pad located above the ball of the foot can thin for a number of reasons. Training in thin-soled shoes is a chief culprit among runners. Runners may also experience the dropping of a metatarsal head -- the bone that connects the ball to the toe -- which can destroy the fat pad, according to Our Health Network. Aging is an additional consideration for runners, because the rate of fat pad absorption can increase as a runner ages.

Symptoms

Fat pad loss in the soles of runners' feet produces severe pain when the least bit of weight is brought to bear on the heel or ball of the affected foot. Such pain is typically characterized by a dull ache, much like a bruise, which is exacerbated when pressing a thumb into the middle of the afflicted region, according to the Foot Pain Relief Store.

Treatment

Time off is the most immediate and effective approach for treating the painful symptoms of fat pad loss. Over time, a runner can minimize pain and stay on the road by following some key steps. Applying trainer's tape to the heel, inserting a heel cup in the running shoe, utilizing orthotic material that protects the fat pads on the balls of the feet and icing the soles after each run are among the many things an athlete with fat pad loss can do to keep running, according to Our Health Network.