Fat Grafting for Pedal Fat Pad Atrophy in Diabetics

Overview

The etiology of plantar fat pad atrophy may be age-related, due abnormal foot mechanics, steroid use, or collagen vascular disease. Displacement or atrophy of the fat pad can lead to osseous prominences in the forefoot that may be seen with painful skin lesions. Disease states, such as diabetes, may have loss of soft tissue integrity. Fat pad atrophy, regardless of the etiology, may result in significant pain, epidermal lesions, or metatarsalgia. In sensate patients, the pain can lead to emotional and physical pain, leading to productivity and financial losses. It is well documented that plantar pressure is directly correlated with plantar tissue thickness, with the loss of plantar fat being a fundamental mechanism for pressure related foot disorders.Autologous fat grafting to areas of plantar fat pad atrophy may reduce plantar pressures, and thus serve as a treatment for metatarsalgia, corn and callus prevention, and possibly ulcer prevention in diabetics. Plastic surgeons, with significant skills in fat grafting, can make a significant contribution. Current treatment modalities for fat pad atrophy include silicone injections, fat injections, and other temporary fillers; however, no objective studies using autologous fat have been performed. Approximately 30 adults who experience pain from fat pad atrophy, will have the option to participate. Through a randomized, controlled, cross-over study, some patients will receive autologous fat grafting, while some will receive standard of care podiatric treatment, then cross-over to fat grafting treatment after a year. Through pedobarograph and ultrasound assessments, the focal pedal pressure and tissue thickness following treatment will be documented over two years. We hypothesize that fat grafting for areas of increased pedal pressure in well-controlled diabetics will help decrease foot pressure during gait and increase soft tissue thickness on the foot pad, ultimately reducing pain. We also hope to demonstrate that by using autologous fat with evidence-based fat transfer techniques, results may be durable. This pilot study will help build new collaborative efforts between Foot and Ankle Surgery, Podiatry and Plastic Surgery, combining expertise in foot biomechanics with reconstructive fat grafting.

Subjects will be randomized to one of two groups and the visit schema for each group is delineated below. The group determination in which the subject will receive either the standard of care treatment or the fat grafting procedure will be determined using the GraphSoft random number generator function. Subjects will randomized to a group assignment (Either YEAR A PATHWAY with fat grafting procedure during year one or YEAR B PATHWAY with observational visits at 6 and 12 months with fat grafting procedures during year 2). YEAR A PATHWAY - this occurs after screening visit and upon eligibility determination YEAR B PATHWAY - this occurs after screening visit and upon eligibility determination. Pre- Operative research visits will occur at month 6 and 12 and will be concurrent to the subject's standard of care treatment. Visits at months 6 and 12 will be performed by a podiatrist as standard of care.