Fat Pad Atrophy is the thinning or decreased size of the fat pad that serves as a natural cushion for the foot. This condition can occur in the metatarsal area of the foot or in the heel. Individuals whose feet has little or no fat pad at the bottom will experience more pain.
Common symptoms of fat pad atrophy include pain in the feet while walking (especially on hard, flat surfaces) or standing for extended periods of time, feeling a mass or swelling in the foot or heel, and thick callus formations on the ball of the foot.