Heel Pad Syndrome

Plantar heel pain is one of the most common foot and ankle presentations. (1,2) Following plantar fasciitis, heel pad syndrome is the second most common cause of plantar heel pain, claiming approximately 15% of all presentations. (3,4) Up to one in ten people will suffer from heel pad syndrome at some point in their lifetime. (5) This potentially debilitating condition is also known as calcaneal fat pad syndrome, fat pad atrophy, heel stones, heel bruises, and stone bruises.

As the gait cycle’s first point of contact, the heel is the primary absorber of ground reaction force. (6) During normal walking and running, pressures on the heel can reach more than 1-3 times bodyweight, respectively. (3,89) The heel fat pad is a specialized shock absorber that overlies the inferior and posterior calcaneus to impart cushioning and help dampen ground reaction forces. (7-10)