Podiatry Arena members do not see these ads

Found this advertisement in an edition of Harper's Bazaar, and thought it might be of interest to arena viewers, as I myself had never heard of such an idea.

Dermal filler injections for the plantar metatarsal areas of the feet.

Performed by a podiatrist, to provide extra cushioning and therefore 'make walking in heels more comfortable'.

This is the website
www.pillowsforfeet.com

Yes, well they would say that wouldn't they?

A chap named Steve Balkin from the States I think was the first to popularise the technique in the 80's. At that time he used medical grade silicone. However, due to the migration of the silcone other materials were tried. Currently a substance called Restylane which has been used as a dermal filler in cosmetic surgery appears to be popular. I have no experience of using this and whether migration takes place I have no proof although the local anatomy and physiology would indicate that it might be the case.

It is being used in Kent by Akbal Rawanda who will no doubt publish his results in due course.

Bill Liggins

Related threads:
Foot silicone injections
Injectable Silicone

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Hi All,

The website www.pillowsforfeet.com is mine, I would like to thank all those that clicked on Elizabeths link, the website has never had so many hits in one day.

I have been using fillers for nearly 2 years now and as far as I know i am the only podiatrist doing so in the UK, or at least insured to do so in the UK.

I should really point out that the website and ads like all marketing do not tell the whole story, the vast majority of patients I have seen and I have not seen massive numbers are people over 50 that have atrophy of the plantar fat pad beneath the forefoot, and before another podiatrist asks I have not used it in the heel though the technique may be useful. Most of the patients I have seen are not overly keen to high heels in any case, they just want to be able to walk comfortably.

I have also used it for interdigital H.Molle with some success though I am not entirely sure how long it lasts. I use different fillers for each application.

Please feel free to contact me via www.pillowsforfeet.com or send me a private message via Podiatry-arena, I will be most happy to talk to anyone interested, particularly if anyone within the NHS wants to develop it, I see it as potentially a very valuable technique for for the Rheumatoid foot.

Please forgive the shameless self-promotion, it won't happen again

Akbal Randhawa

Hi
I know it was nearly 4 years ago that you posted this but just wondering if you are still doing this and if you have now used it in the heel?? It has been one of those issues (plantar fat pad atrophy) that bothers me in terms of what we can do to help. I feel for the patients who just have to 'live with it' as it causes them great discomfort. I have recently looked into it more based on a young patient (30yrs) who struggles with heel pain and forefoot pain because of a lack of fat pad and have passed your website onto her as she is coming to London soon. (We are in NZ). However I would like to know if there is anyway I can bring this treatment to NZ so if you have any advise that would be appreciated.

Hi,

I am only to happy to see your patient however I should point out that I have not used this treatment in the heel, though I would be quite happy to if your patient is willing to give it a go though she must know that she would really be a gineapig, as far as the forefoot is concerned it can work very well and many hopefully it will help your patient.

I would be more than happy to train you if you want to send me a private message either on the website or the www.pillowsforfeet.com site with your contact details.

Akbal.

This just popped up on You Tube:

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Hi all
Only recently i have found informations and articles abou the use of dermal fillers in reduction of plantar pressure...I work in Portugal and over here there was an article publish in 2005 where a Podiatrist Dr. Alexandre Gaspar use Bio alcamid to treat soft corns...i think that it is of great value and something very interesting so i would like to take a shoot at it...my question is
has anyone here any experience whid this procedure?
If so what type of dermal filler you recomend?
Hope you can healp me
My regards
André

Hi Andre,
I use Innopad, a 350 centistoke, injectable, medical grade Silicone fluid.
It has a sole uk distributor Osteotec Ltd., but they will only supply it after you have undergone specific training in the microdroplet implant technique.

I give a brief description on my webpage:

http://www.diabeticulcer.org/ or http://www.diabeticulcer.co.uk/

€z