Last update:
18-Nov-2020

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, commonly affecting the knee, and total knee arthroplasties have greatly increased in recent decades. The infrapatellar fat pad, also known as Hoffa's fat pad, is often resected during total knee arthroplasty in order to improve the surgeon's visibility/access. In the relevant literature there is no consensus regarding infrapatellar fat pad preservation. Its resection may affect the blood supply to the patellar tendon, and it may also be blamed for other postoperative changes in the knee. On the other hand, preservation of the fat pad has been associated with increased postoperative anterior knee pain. It is preferable that the surgeon should try to preserve the infrapatellar fat pad, but if preservation causes problems regarding visibility and access, it should be removed. The choice of full resection, preservation or partial resection of the fat pad depends on the surgeon's preferences and experience, and on the needs of the patient.

Key words: Hoffa's fat pad, Infrapatellar fat pad, Osteoarthritis of the knee, Total knee arthroplasty.