Arthroscopic Treatment of Infrapatellar Fat Pad Impingement between the Patella and Femoral Trochlea: Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Partial and Subtotal Resection

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic partial and subtotal resection of the impinged infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 55 patients with IFP impingement who underwent partial resection (n=29, P group) or subtotal resection (n=26, S group). Clinical outcomes at least 2 years postoperatively were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 subjective knee score, and the Lysholm score. RESULTS: In the P group, the preoperative mean VAS, IKDC 2000, and Lysholm scores were 5.6±0.61, 47.5±7.41, and 42.5±7.17, respectively, which improved significantly to 1.4±0.63, 70.9±6.15, and 82.2±7.61, respectively (all, p≤0.001). In the S group, the preoperative mean VAS, IKDC 2000, and Lysholm scores were 5.7±0.43, 47.7±9.09, and 45.2±4.18, respectively, which improved significantly to 1.8±0.77, 71.9±9.33, and 82.3±6.01, respectively (all, p≤0.001). There were no significant differences in any outcome measure between the groups at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic resection of the impinged IFP between the patella and femoral trochlea resulted in favorable clinical outcomes regardless of whether the resection was partial or subtotal. Thus, partial resection can be an appropriate treatment option, considering partial resection was as effective as subtotal resection and retained more of the IFP.