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

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

Joseph Hannon  1 , Sean Bardenett  2 , Steven Singleton  3 , J Craig Garrison  4
Affiliations
Review

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

Joseph Hannon et al. Sports Health. 2016 Mar-Apr.

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.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no potential conflicts of interest in the development and publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Arterial supply to the fat pad: (a) medial superior genicular artery; (b) descending genicular artery; (c) medial superior genicular artery, additional branch; (d) lateral superior genicular artery; (e) lateral inferior genicular artery; (f) arterial tibial recurrent artery; and (g) medial inferior genicular artery. Reprinted with permission from Kohn et al.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Infrapatellar fat pad biomechanics. PFJR, patellofemoral joint reaction force; PT, patellar tendon. Reprinted with permission from Ahmad et al.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Intermeniscal ligament scarring.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Surgical fat pad release.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
(a) Medial and (b) lateral fat pad glide.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Superior patella glide.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
(a) Patellar tilt. (b) Rear view.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Passive terminal knee extension.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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