What Is Leneva?

Leneva is an FDA-cleared injectable adipose matrix — a first-of-its-kind biologic treatment designed specifically for the foot. It is the only injectable product approved to restore lost fat pad volume in the foot, making it a breakthrough option for patients who suffer from chronic foot pain caused by fat pad atrophy.

What Is Fat Pad Atrophy?

The soles of your feet are naturally cushioned by specialized fatty tissue called the plantar fat pad. Over time — due to aging, high-impact activity, prolonged steroid use, certain systemic conditions, or years of wearing unsupportive footwear — this cushioning can thin out and deteriorate.

When the fat pad breaks down, every step transfers direct pressure onto the bones and joints beneath the skin. This leads to:

• Chronic ball-of-foot pain (metatarsalgia)
• Heel pain that is not classic plantar fasciitis
• Burning or aching with walking or standing
• Painful calluses that keep coming back
• Pain that worsens in thin-soled shoes or on hard surfaces

Orthotics and padding can help manage symptoms, but they cannot restore lost tissue. Leneva can.

How Does Leneva Work?

Leneva is derived from human adipose (fat) tissue and processed into an injectable matrix that provides both immediate volume and a biological scaffold — meaning it encourages your body's own cells to integrate and regenerate tissue over time.

Unlike traditional fillers used off-label in the foot, Leneva is specifically engineered and FDA-cleared for plantar injection. It is:

• Biocompatible — derived from human tissue
• Long-lasting — results can persist 12 months or more
• Targeted — injected precisely where volume loss has occurred

Who Is a Candidate for Leneva?

Dr. Cella may recommend Leneva for patients experiencing:

• Plantar fat pad atrophy under the heel or ball of the foot
• Metatarsalgia unresponsive to orthotics or padding
• Painful calluses related to pressure redistribution from tissue loss
• Post-surgical fat pad thinning
• Diabetic or rheumatoid patients with plantar tissue breakdown
• Aging patients with generalized foot pain and visible loss of cushioning

What to Expect

Leneva is administered in-office as a single injection session — no surgery, no downtime. Dr. Cella injects the product precisely into the areas of greatest volume loss using careful technique.

Most patients notice:

• Immediate improvement in cushioning after the procedure
• Progressive tissue integration over the following weeks
• Lasting relief from chronic pressure pain
• Ability to wear shoes more comfortably and walk without guarding

Is Leneva Covered by Insurance?

Coverage for Leneva varies by plan. Our team will verify your benefits in advance and discuss all financial options with you. Many patients find that the duration of relief makes Leneva an excellent long-term value compared to ongoing palliative treatments.

Why Choose Dr. Cella for Leneva?

Dr. Antonella Cella, DPM, FACFAS is one of a select group of foot and ankle surgeons in New Jersey offering Leneva as part of a comprehensive, non-surgical treatment approach. She combines surgical precision with a deep commitment to conservative care — so you get the right treatment, not just the most aggressive one.