Hoffa’s syndrome, also known as infrapatellar fat pad syndrome, is a knee dysfunction which affects one of three pads of fatty soft tissue that lies under the kneecap (patella) and leads to pain at the front of the knee. The Hoffa’s fat pad acts as a protective cushion, which separates the kneecap from the shin and thigh bones.
It can be caused by a sudden trauma, such as a direct hit to your knee. However, it develops gradually more often over time if you repeatedly over-extend your knee. This is when your knee is forced beyond its fully straightened normal position.
Infrapatellar fat pad syndrome can be very painful.
The main symptoms are:
You’ll usually feel the pain at the front of your knee, around the bottom of your kneecap;
This pain may be worse when your leg is completely straight, or if you stand for a long time or when you go up or down stairs;
The area around the bottom of your kneecap may also feel very tender to the touch;
You may have some swelling there too.
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