DERMAL FILLERS FOR FOOT PAIN

Do your feet feel like you're walking on concrete—no matter how thick your socks or how cushioned your shoes?

If you experience pain in the ball of the foot, persistent heel pain, or discomfort from corns and calluses, the underlying issue may be plantar fat pad atrophy—the natural thinning of the cushioning layer in the soles of your feet. 

This condition is more common than you think, especially for runners, active professionals, high heel lovers, and anyone spending long hours on their feet.

At St. Louis Foot and Ankle Institute we’re proud to offer PedalVolume Therapy™ - non-surgical dermal filler treatments that restore volume, relieve pain, and elevate your every step.  

As we age or with years of repetitive impact, standing, or shoe compression, the fat pads that naturally cushion the heel and ball of the foot begin to thin out or atrophy. 

Without this protection, the soles of the feet bear the brunt of your body weight which can lead to pain, inflammation, and skin changes like painful calluses.

Common symptoms include:

• Aching, throbbing, or a pebble feeling under the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia)
• Pain that worsens after long periods of standing or activity
• Pain when walking barefoot or in thin-soled shoes
• Chronic corns or calluses from pressure points
• Difficulty wearing heels or even standing comfortably

Dermal fillers that are used in both medical and cosmetic procedures can be precisely injected into the sole of the foot to rebuild lost cushioning. This reduces pressure on sensitive areas, improves shock absorption, and brings instant relief from pain and discomfort.

The treatment can be used in:

• The heel pad
• The forefoot (beneath metatarsal heads)
• Under painful calluses
• In high-friction areas from shoe compression

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture and volume in the skin and connective tissues. As a filler, it’s one of the safest and most biocompatible injectable materials available, with an excellent safety profile and virtually no risk of rejection or allergic reaction.

When used in the feet, HA fillers can:

• Restore lost cushioning in the heel and forefoot
• Reduce direct pressure on bones and nerves
• Soften painful calluses
• Improve shock absorption with every step