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.
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