Fat pads are thick connective tissues that provide cushioning and shock absorption to protect the ball of the foot and heel. As we age, these fat pads can break down, become worn down, thin, and may even lose elasticity. This is known as fat pad atrophy. Certain foot conditions, rheumatological diseases, injuries, or wear and tear on the area due to high-impact sports or other activities may also lead to fat pad atrophy.

Fat pad atrophy can cause chronic pain in the heel and/or the ball of the foot especially when walking or standing (particularly in bare feet), or when wearing high-heeled shoes. It may also produce a burning or pounding sensation in the bottom of the feet, or make you feel like you are walking on pebbles. When it occurs in the heel it can accompany, or be mistaken for, plantar fasciitis. A fat pad in the ball of the foot that has become atrophied may shift position and create a feeling similar to bunched up socks under the toes.

Fat pad atrophy that is left untreated is not only painful, but it may also lead to soft tissue injury in nerves and ligaments and other foot conditions such as neuromas, metatarsalgia, and bursitis.
Fat pad restoration or enhancement can treat fat pad atrophy using different methods based on the level of atrophy as well as other factors. A podiatrist may use an injectable filler during an office visit to relieve foot pain and restore volume to the plantar fat pads. Surgical options include placing a graft into the area to restore padding, or transplanting harvested tissue from the patient’s own body in a fat pad transfer (autolipotransplantation).

If you would like more information about fat pad restoration, or if you are experiencing pain in the ball of your foot or heel, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Leneva

Leneva^® is a first-of-its-kind human adipose tissue for tissue reconstruction. As an all-natural extracellular matrix, Leneva is a safe, natural, off-the-shelf solution that has multiple clinical applications including, but not limited to:

• Diabetic Foot Ulcers
• Pressure Ulcers
• Tunneling Wounds
• Fat Pad Reconstruction Procedures

What is an allograft?

An allograft is used to describe an organ or tissue donated from one individual to another. In the case of Leneva® , the allograft is derived from donated human adipose (human fat).

Every year in the United States, doctors use more than a million allografts to help…

• Athletes who need knee reconstruction
• People suffering from back pain
• Cancer patients who need tumor surgery
• People suffering from acute and chronic wounds

These are just a few examples. Surgeons have used allografts successfully—in all kinds of procedures—for decades.

What is Leneva and how can it help me?

Leneva is an off-the-shelf injectible human adipose tissue that is designed to support your body’s own tissue regeneration process. Leneva undergoes strict processing designed to maintain the structural integrity of the tissue without sacrificing quality and sterility. This process allows for retention of key matrix proteins such as Collagen IV and Collagen VI as well as adipogenic and angiogenic factors leptin, adiponectin, FGF-2 and VEGF, while successfully removing residual lipid, cellular fragments, and DNA content.* Leneva may be used for the replacement of damaged or inadequate integumental adipose tissue matrix, or for the reinforcement or supplemental support in underlying adipose tissue matrix as the result of damage or naturally occurring defects

What makes MTF Biologics right for you?

MTF Biologics is a nonprofit service organization directed by physicians. We use the latest technology to ensure that our tissue grafts are safe and of the highest quality. Since our inception in 1987, MTF Biologics has become the leading and largest accredited tissue bank in the United States. We have supplied health care providers and patients with nearly 9 million allografts from over 130,000 donors. We have upheld an excellent safety record, with strict criteria for donor acceptance, by accepting less than 2% of donated tissue. So, you can be confident that you’re receiving tissue that meets the most rigorous standards.

How do I know it’s safe?

MTF Biologics’ strict donor criteria is designed by medical experts to ensure quality and safety. Available relevant medical records are evaluated by our MTF Biologics Physicians to determine donor suitability. This comprehensive review indicates that the donor suitability criteria is in compliance with FDA and AATB regulations, therefore deeming the tissue eligible for transplantation. Possible adverse effects of using donated human tissue include, but are not limited to:

• Local or systemic infection
• Dehiscence and/or necrosis due to poor revascularization
• Specific or nonspecific immune response

MTF Biologics is a nonprofit organization that is the leading tissue bank in the world, driven to improve healing by advancing science through research and dedicated to providing quality tissue for a variety of medical purposes.