The fat pad protects the heal bone by absorbing shocks from rigorous activities like running or walking. As a result, these repetitive forceful routines cause fat pad contusions or bruising on the heels. This condition is common among soldiers, runners and athletes whose activities involve of the heel needing to bear a lot of weight.
The fat pad could be displaced or thinned. When this happens, you’ll feel a deep aching on the heel area and barefoot walking on hard ground could become extremely difficult.
Fat pad pain is sometimes mistaken as plantar fasciitis as they both cause heel pain. While plantar fasciitis is more present at the front side of the heel, fat pad pain is focus on the outer side. Fat pad pain is recreated when a deep pain is felt if you press your thumb on the center of your heel.
Here are 5 common signs of fat pad contusion: