What causes heel pad syndrome?

Heel pain that feels like walking on a thin cushion often leads to one question: how did the cushion wear down?

A wear and tear condition

Cleveland Clinic describes heel fat pad syndrome as a wear and tear condition.

It also says many factors contribute to it. The published list names three of them.

The factors Cleveland Clinic names

The first is increasing age. Cleveland Clinic says your heel loses some of its fatty tissue and elasticity as you age.

The second is increased body weight. Cleveland Clinic says an increase in your body weight increases the pressure on your heel pad, causing a faster loss of elasticity and the cushioning properties of your heel pad.

The third is family history, which Cleveland Clinic lists alongside the other two.

To compare this with other heel problems, read a page on plantar fasciitis and another on plantar fasciitis and bone spurs.

What to try before returning to long days on your feet

Look through the three factors and mark which apply to you. A reader near Elmwood Park can bring that short list to a healthcare provider, who can explain what it means for your heel.

MedlinePlus keeps a broad page on foot injuries and disorders that helps you see where heel pad problems sit among other foot issues.

A closing note on a complete answer

A complete answer about heel pad pain lists causes and also says how they fit your life. Treat a list of factors as a starting point for a conversation, not as a diagnosis.