FRONT OF THE KNEE PAIN and HOFA’S SYNDROME
As mentioned in previous posts, Hofa’s fat pad, along with the knee capsule is the MOST PAIN SENSITIVE STRUCTURE IN THE KNEE JOINT.
The Fat Pad is found just below the kneecap, directly behind the patellar tendon. It acts as a cushiom between the kneecap and the thigh bone behind.
Causes of Hofa’s Fat Pad Pain:
1. Direct blow to the knee.
2. Poor Biomechanics – a large Q angle, pes planus, increased internal rotation of the shin bone, instability of the knee.
3. History of knee hyperextension.
Signs and Symptoms of Hofa’s Fat Pad Pain:
• Banana shaped swelling and pain at the front of the knee below the
kneecap
• Worse for full extension of the knee or full bending of the knee
• Squatting, running and going upstairs can make it worse
How to test your knee for this Syndrome:
• Lie down with the knee bent
• Therapist presses firmly on either side of the patellar tendon
• Patient straightens the knee as much as possible or the therapist extends the knee with their other hand while maintaining the pressure either side of the tendon
We hope you found this post helpful. The next post will be on PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY. Stay tuned!