Fat pad impingement

• Fat pad impingement:

  • Most anterior knee structures are under more load in flexion
  • Fat pad is compressed in hyperextension
  • More likely to be aggravated in walking/standing
  • Especially in hypermobile people e.g. gymnasts and dancers
• Fat pad impingement - Hoffa’s Test:

  • From flexed knee – passively extend knee whilst palpating the fat pad
  • Looking for pain
• Fat pad impingement - Treatment

  • Educate re hyperextension/sustained Extension or walking
  • Taping or heel raise
  • Relative rest
  • Strengthening (pain free range initially)