Flexibility of infrapatellar fat pad affecting anterior knee pain 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring autograft

This study aimed to identify factors affecting anterior knee pain (AKP) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with hamstring tendon autograft using ultrasonography. Forty-two patients were evaluated by ultrasound, 6 months after ACLR. The thickness of the superficial part of the infrapatellar fat pad was measured, as well as the thickness change ratio between the two angles. Color Doppler evaluated the rate of blood flow in the fat pad. AKP was assessed with the Kujala Scale. The correlations between AKP and age, body mass index, the thickness change ratio, and the grade of increased blood flow were examined. Independent variables showing significant correlations with AKP were used for multiple linear regression analysis. There were significant correlations between AKP and age (r = − 0.68), body mass index (r = − 0.37), the thickness change ratio of the fat pad (r = 0.73) and the grade of increased blood flow (r = − 0.42), respectively. Age and the thickness change ratio of the fat pad affected the AKP score (R(2) = 0.56). After ACLR, older age and a decrease in the thickness change ratio of the superficial area of the infrapatellar fat pad appear to affect post-operative AKP after 6 months.