Abstract
Objective: To determine the effect of infrapatellar fat
pad (IPFP) excision or preservation on outcomes
following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was
conducted at The Department of Orthopedic Surgery,
Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from
September 2020 to June 2021. A total of 60 cases (30
in each group) aged between 20 to 75 years who
underwent primary TKA were enrolled. There were 30
patients who were placed in IPFP removed (IPFPR)
groups and 30 others were to be in IPFP not removed
(IPFPNR) group. Knee range of motion (ROM),
anterior knee pain and total “Knee Society Score”
were measured as outcomes in both groups.
Results: Out of 60 patients, 44 (73.3%) were female.
Mean age was 65.7 ± 6.5 years. Majority, 31 (51.7%)
belonged to urban areas. There were 55 (91.7%)
patients who had osteoarthritis. Comparison of knee
flexion and knee society scores at different intervals
during the study period showed no significant
differences (p > 0.05). At 6-months follow up, there
were 4 (14.3%) patients who had anterior knee pain in
IPFPR group in comparison to 0 in IPFPNR group and
the difference in terms of anterior knee pain was
statistically significant (p = 0.041). None of the
patients had avascular necrosis or patellar fractures
during follow-ups.
Conclusion: Increased rates of anterior knee pain
were observed among patients who had removal of
infrapatellar fat pad. No significant differences in knee
flexion and knee society scores were observed among
patient who had removal or preservation of
infrapatellar fat pad.
Keywords: Infrapatellar fat pad, total knee
arthroplasty, knee flexion, anterior knee pain.
