Orthopedics Department, Guangyuan Central Hospital, Guangyuan, 628000, China.
Orthopedics Department, Jiangshan People's Hospital, Jiangshan, 324199, China.
J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 Oct 7;19(1):631. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05114-y.
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by pain and functional limitations. Current treatments offer symptomatic relief but do not address the underlying pathology. This study explores the role of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) in KOA and evaluates the efficacy of its partial arthroscopic excision.
A retrospective review was conducted on 37 KOA patients who underwent partial IFP excision. Pain and function were assessed using the WOMAC and VAS scores, while MRI evaluations focused on cartilage health.
Significant postoperative improvements were observed in both pain and functional outcomes, with substantial reductions in WOMAC and VAS scores (P < 0.001). MRI findings demonstrated notable enhancements in cartilage integrity, reflected in significantly improved WORMS scores (P < 0.001).
Partial excision of the IFP significantly reduces pain and improves function in KOA patients, while also promoting cartilage health. These findings support the IFP's role in KOA pathology and highlight the potential benefits of targeted surgical intervention.
膝骨关节炎（KOA）是一种常见的退行性关节疾病，其特征为疼痛和功能受限。目前的治疗方法只能缓解症状，而不能解决根本的病理问题。本研究探讨了髌下脂肪垫（IFP）在 KOA 中的作用，并评估了其部分关节镜下切除的疗效。
对 37 例接受部分 IFP 切除的 KOA 患者进行了回顾性研究。采用 WOMAC 和 VAS 评分评估疼痛和功能，MRI 评估侧重于软骨健康。
术后疼痛和功能均有显著改善，WOMAC 和 VAS 评分显著降低（P<0.001）。MRI 结果显示软骨完整性明显改善，WORMS 评分显著提高（P<0.001）。
IFP 的部分切除可显著减轻 KOA 患者的疼痛，改善功能，同时促进软骨健康。这些发现支持 IFP 在 KOA 病理中的作用，并强调了针对该结构进行手术干预的潜在益处。
