HOFFAS FAT PAD

Hoffa's Ganglion Ganglia are common fluid-filled lesions Most often located adjacent to the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. Most likely arise from occult ACL ganglia Some may arise from the intertransverse ligament or meniscal tears Hoffa's Impingement

Post-traumatic changes of the fat pad May follow hyperextension trauma, patellar dislocation or post-arthroscopy or by repetitive impingement.

Impingement takes two forms: • Hoffa's Disease • Lateral impingement The latter is due to impingement of the apex of the fat pad against the lateral femoral condyle Not always symptomatic May be associated with maltracking Hoffa’s disease. also known as infrapatellar fat pad impingement Described by Albert Hoffa in 1904 acute trauma or repetitive microtrauma causes haemorrhage

and inflammation. May be due to repetitive hyperextension or rotational strain The posterior part of the fat pad affected fat pad hypertrophies and becomes impinged between the femur and tibia

Low-signal material within Hoffa’s fat pad has also to be distinguished from • synovial chondroma • Synovial haemangioma • Focal PVNS, • Synovial osteochondromatosis, • Rheumatoid arthritis •Gout •Amyloidosis. • Haemophilia