Hoffa's fat pad tumours like: results of the arthroscopic resection.

Atif Mechchat,Elmrini Abdelmajid,Shimi Mohammed,Elibrahimi Abdelhalim,Hatim Abid,Elidrissi Mohammed,Soufiane Bensaad,Hammou Nassreddine

doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.20.187.4078

Abstract

We performed a retrospective cohort study to increase awareness in orthopaedic community of this rare but interesting disease which is often misdiagnosed as meniscal pathology and to analyze present results of arthroscopic resection in seven patients. we retrospectively reviewed records from 2008-2012 and identified 7 patients with symptomatic Hoffa's fat pad impingement. The diagnosis was made by clinical exam, MRI imaging and verified arthroscopically. Of the 7 patients 2 were excluded due to receiving open resection. The remaining five underwent arthroscopic resection. Lysholm and American knee society scores were obtained pre and post operative and at final follow up. There was a significant improvement in their symptoms and function after the surgery at an average follow-up of 14 months. The one poor result was because of paresthesia over the distribution of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve after open resection. tumours like of the fat pad should be treated by arthroscopic resection because of less residual pain and less complication was found using arthroscopy. In case of high volume of tumours only open excision can provide complete excision.

Highlights

Many tumours or tumours like can affect the Hoffa's fat pad. They usually occur in young active patients participating in activities involving repetitive microtrauma to the knee joint
The objective of this study is to increase awareness in orthopaedic community of this rare but interesting disease which is often misdiagnosed as meniscal pathology and to analyze present results of arthroscopic resection in seven patients
Five cases occurred in the right knee and two were in the left knee

Summary

Introduction

Many tumours or tumours like can affect the Hoffa's fat pad. They usually occur in young active patients participating in activities involving repetitive microtrauma to the knee joint. It's characterized by an impingement between the patellofemoral or femorotibial joints due to large volume tumours in the infrapatellar fat pad, causing chronic anterior knee pain [2]. The objective of this study is to increase awareness in orthopaedic community of this rare but interesting disease which is often misdiagnosed as meniscal pathology and to analyze present results of arthroscopic resection in seven patients. Hypothesis: arthroscopic resection of symptomatic Hoffa's fat pad tumours results in significant clinical improvement at final follow up

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Conclusion