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

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.