ARTERIAL BLOOD-SUPPLY OF THE INFRAPATELLAR FAT PAD - ANATOMY AND CLINICAL CONSEQUENCES

The arterial blood supply to the infrapatellar fat pad (Hoffa's fat pa d) was investgated in 12 knee joints of human cadavers. The infrapatel lar fat pad is supplied by an anastomotic network which displays some striking topographic features. Its vascular blood supply protects it a gainst necrosis, when either reconstructive operations are carried out or extensive surgical exposures of the knee are done. The blood suppl y to the center of the fat pad is limited. This is of practical import ance for the choice of arthroscopic portals. In addition, arthroscopic ally verified sources of bleeding are described in 57 patients with he marthrosis without clinically detectable instability. Rupture of the i nfrapatellar synovial fold can be a cause of posttraumatic hemarthrosi s in rare cases. Arteries irregularly found within the fold contribute to the blood supply of the anterior aspect of the synovial membrane c overing the cruciate ligaments.