The infrapatellar fat pad (sometimes known as Hoffa’s pad) is a soft tissue that lies beneath the patella (kneecap) separating it from the femoral condyle (end of the thigh bone).

In situations where forces are directed at the patella, it acts as a shock absorber, thus protecting the underlying structures.

In the case of a forceful direct impact to the kneecap, the fat pad can become impinged (pinched) between the femoral condyle and the patella.

More often though, it develops gradually over time if you repeatedly overextend your knee. This is when your knee is forced beyond its fully straightened normal position.

Symptoms

As the fat pad is one of the most sensitive structures in the knee, this injury is known to be extremely painful.

Tenderness around the bottom and under the kneecap.
Patients may have a history of being able to over straighten the knee, called knee hyperextension or genu recurvatum.
In some cases, the bottom of the kneecap may be tilted outwards due to swelling underneath.
A therapist or trainer will perform Hoffa’s test to help diagnose the injury.

This condition is normally long-standing as it is aggravated by extension or straightening of the knee joint. Hence the fat pad comes under constant irritation and may become significantly inflamed.

Anatomy

Treatment

Treatment of this condition is normally by conservative methods as opposed to through surgery.

Rest and avoiding aggravating activities. Apply Ice or cold therapy to reduce pain and inflammation. Ice can be applied for 10 minutes every hour initially reducing as symptoms improve.

Muscle-strengthening exercises to maintain the strength and fitness of the surrounding muscle groups should be done as pain allows.

Taping the patella is known to be highly effective in fat pad impingement.

One method involves taping the upper surface of the patella to allow more space for the structures beneath the lower surfaces i.e. the fat pad, and so putting them under less stress.

If conservative treatment does not work then surgery may be advised. This may involve the complete or partial removal of the fat pad itself

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