Evaluation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Implications of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad

Sports Health. 2016 Mar-Apr;8(2):167-71. doi: 10.1177/1941738115611413. Epub 2015 Oct 20.

Abstract

Context: The infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) is in the anterior knee compartment and may be a major pain generator.

Evidence acquisition: A PubMed database search using the terms Hoffas fat pad, anterior interval, and infrapatellar fat pad was performed from the years 1970 to 2015.

Study design: Clinical review.

Level of evidence: Level 5.

Results: Limited research exists examining the role of the IFP in relation to potential treatment and rehabilitation implications.

Conclusions: Alterations in IFP mobility, whether the result of postsurgical scarring or faulty movement patterns, result in pain and disability in a variety of patient populations. The majority of treatment approaches are driven by the surgical technique.

Keywords: Hoffas fat pad; anterior knee pain; infrapatellar fat pad.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / anatomy & histology
  • Adipose Tissue / physiology
  • Adipose Tissue / physiopathology*
  • Adipose Tissue / surgery*
  • Arthralgia / etiology*
  • Arthralgia / surgery
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cicatrix / physiopathology
  • Cicatrix / surgery
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / physiopathology*
  • Knee Injuries / surgery*
  • Movement
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology