Arthroscopic Resection of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad in Athletes: A 10-Year Experience and Long-Term Follow-Up Results SPORCULARDA İNFRAPATELLAR YAĞ YASTIĞININ ARTROSKOPİK REZEKSİYONU: 10 YILLIK DENEYİM VE UZUN DÖNEM TAKİP SONUÇLARI

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İnce A. Y., Şanlier N. B., Korkmaz T., Özyilmaz E.

Journal of Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, cilt.27, sa.3, ss.345-349, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)

Özet

Objective: The Infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) impingement syndrome, also known as Hoffa’s disease, is a significant cause of anterior knee pain. Surgery is often preferred due to inadequate symptom relief with conservative treatment options. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic resection of the impinged IFP in athletes with anterior knee pain. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 26 athlete patients (32 knees) diagnosed with infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) impingement syndrome who underwent arthroscopic resection. Pain levels were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) preoperatively and at the 3rd postoperative month, and active joint range of motion (ROM) was recorded preoperatively and at the 12th postoperative month. Results: The median age of the patients was 27 years (IQR: 22.25-31.75). The preoperative median NRS score was 7 (IQR: 5.75-8), which significantly decreased to 1 (IQR: 1-2) at the 3rd postoperative month (p<0.001). Twenty-five of the 26 patients (96.2%) achieved full knee joint ROM at the 12th postoperative month, while one patient (3.8%) had persistent extension limitation. All patients returned to their sports activities. Conclusion: Arthroscopic resection for IFP impingement syndrome led to improved clinical outcomes in athletes who had not responded to conservative treatment and had no other related knee pathologies.