If you've noticed a high degree of pain in one of your heels that worsens as you spend more time on your feet, there are a few potential health issues that you could be dealing with. One condition is known as heel fat pad syndrome, which occurs when the fat pad that sits below your heel bone becomes thinner and thus no longer provides the padding and comfort that it once did. This condition can be highly painful and disruptive to your daily life. Your symptoms won't likely improve unless you seek medical care from a podiatrist. Here are some potential causes of your heel fat pad syndrome.

Excess Weight

When you're significantly overweight, it's common to experience issues in many parts of your body, and your feet are no exception. Heel fat pad syndrome is one common condition that people can experience as a result of carrying too much weight around. Their heavy body weight puts a lot of pressure on the fat pad of their heel, causing it to break down faster than normal. Losing weight can reduce this pressure, but you'll still need to see a podiatrist for treatment for the condition.

Heel Injuries

It's possible to develop fat pad syndrome in your heel as a result of an acute injury to this part of your body. There are all sorts of traumas to the heel that can occur. For example, you might have sustained an injury to the heel on the job, while playing sports, or even as a result of a nasty fall. Falling off a ladder and landing with all of your weight on one heel, for example, may eventually lead to this condition. Such incidents can cause the fat pad to break down faster than usual, resulting in an onset of pain over time.

Overuse

The overuse of this part of your body can also increase your risk of developing fat pad syndrome in your heel. Those who spend the majority of their day on their feet, for example, are theoretically more likely to have this condition than those who spend most of their day seated. People who put a lot of impact on their heels may also develop this condition. A basketball player who jumps countless times during the season, for example, may experience a faster deterioration of the fat pad than someone who doesn't play this sport. If you believe that you have fat pad syndrome in your heel, visit a podiatrist.

For more info about heel pain, contact a local professional. 

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