`Foot cushioning` with dermal fillers is the latest treatment being demanded by those ladies who live for their ‘killer heels’, made famous by shoe styles from designers such as Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik, which require gravity defying postures and put significant pressure on the metatarsal bones within the foot, hence the desire for something to `cushion` and make the wearing of the shoes more comfortable.

The concept, likened to inbuilt Scholl™ ‘Party Feet’ uses hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections into the hardened skin and fat pad over the join between the metatarsal and phalange bones of the big toe to provide extra padding on this pressure area for the treatment of metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot). Additional areas of pressure, which can be determined by standing on foam moulds can also be injected.

This is a great, new treatment option for all that partying in high heels, yet caution should be exercised; It is very important to seek out practitioners who have learnt about and understand the exact anatomy of the foot, how an individual’s feet present and how they walk, as both of these will be unique to the individual. Experience in this type of procedure is very important (and not widespread) as there are dangers in terms of using too much of the dermal filler product and making it feel uncomfortable to walk (the exact opposite of what you and the practitioner are trying to achieve), as well as the use of the wrong kind of filler, namely one which is too firm or thick which can have the same effect of making it uncomfortable to walk. A thinner or low viscosity hyaluronic acid dermal filler product is ideal to provide the cushioned effect and practitioners experienced in foot cushioning will have a preferred product.

During treatment you may choose to have a topical and/or local anaesthetic as the plantar nerve in the foot can makes this a very sensitive area to have injections; those dermal filler products with inbuilt lidocaine may also be used. Results are expected to last approximately 6 months.