Hoffa's disease: arthroscopic resection of the infrapatellar fat pad.

In 11 patients the diagnosis of Hoffa's syndrome with chronic impingement of the fat pad was established by clinical signs and arthroscopic findings. Arthroscopic resection of the fat pad was performed. The patients were assessed using the Cincinnati rating system. There was a significant improvement in their symptoms and function after the surgery at an average follow-up of 76 months. The one poor result was in a patient who subsequently developed a diffused, chronic, inflammatory synovitis.