Posttraumatic fat necrosis presenting as prepatellar loose bodies in an adolescent football player

Abstract

A 16-year-old high school football player presented with 4 months of anterior knee pain and small, mobile, prepatellar "lumps" after falling onto an opponent's cleat. He reported knee pain primarily during knee flexion and direct pressure during squatting and kneeling. Knee radiographs were unremarkable. Ultrasonography revealed multiple, freely mobile, subcutaneous nodules of variable size and echogenicity in the prepatellar region. Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging suggested possible fat necrosis but was nondiagnostic. The patient opted for surgical exploration, at which time multiple, opalescent subcutaneous nodules were removed. Pathology was consistent with encapsulated fat necrosis. After surgery, his symptoms resolved, and he returned to sports without restrictions.