Arthroscopic resection of fat pad lesions and infrapatellar contractures

The infrapatellar fat pad (IFP), also known as Hoffa's fat pad, may be a common site of pain in the knee because of its susceptibility to injury and its vast innervation and vascular supply. Patients who have trauma to the IFP may undergo a process of hemorrhage, inflammation, and fibrosis that may become painful. Patients with Hoffa's disease in whom conservative treatment with medications, physical therapy, and injections has failed may receive significant pain relief and benefit from undergoing arthroscopic subtotal removal of the IFP. We describe a safe and effective way to perform this procedure allowing excellent visualization through the use of a superolateral viewing portal.