I have lack of fat pads in my feet, I’m not sure that’s the same thing. I can’t go barefoot. Ouch. The podiatrist who made my orthotics put in metatarsal pads within the orthotic since my pain is more at the ball of my foot. Before that i used metatarsal pads that I found online.

I have arthritis on the top of a foot and am using 2% Voltaren gel. I think that’s what you use. You can order it from Canada, or if you have friends going to Europe they can buy it there. Possibly a New Zealand online pharmacy carries it. Kiwi Drugs is reputable.

I use it twice a day on the top of my foot. My doc said the US over the counter 1% doesn’t work. Not sure you can even get a prescription for 2%. Good luck! Foot pain is the worst.