The Corpus Adiposum Infrapatellare (Hoffa’s Fat Pad)—The Role of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad in Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis
Sebastian Braun,
Frank Zaucke,
Marco Brenneis,
Anna E. Rapp,
Patrizia Pollinger,
Rebecca Sohn,
Zsuzsa Jenei-Lanzl,
Andrea Meurer
Affiliations
Sebastian Braun
Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Frank Zaucke
Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Marco Brenneis
Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Anna E. Rapp
Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Patrizia Pollinger
Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Rebecca Sohn
Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Zsuzsa Jenei-Lanzl
Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Research Unit for Osteoarthritis, Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Andrea Meurer
Department of Orthopedics (Friedrichsheim), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
In recent years, the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) has gained increasing research interest. The contribution of the IFP to the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) through extensive interactions with the synovium, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone is being considered. As part of the initiation process of OA, IFP secretes abundant pro-inflammatory mediators among many other factors. Today, the IFP is (partially) resected in most total knee arthroplasties (TKA) allowing better visualization during surgical procedures. Currently, there is no clear guideline providing evidence in favor of or against IFP resection. With increasing numbers of TKAs, there is a focus on preventing adverse postoperative outcomes. Therefore, anatomic features, role in the development of knee OA, and consequences of resecting versus preserving the IFP during TKA are reviewed in the following article.
