The effect of infrapatellar fat pad excision on complications after minimally invasive TKA: a randomized controlled trial

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90 patients scheduled to undergo minimally invasive total knee arthroscopy were randomized to infrapatellar fat pad excision or preservation during operation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether removal of the fat pad would affect patella baja, anterior knee pain and functional outcome. Results up to 1 year postoperative indicated no difference in patellar tendon shortening and functional outcomes within and between groups. Anterior pain was present in significantly fewer patients in the fat pad preservation as no patient reported pain after 3 months whereas pain persisted in the fat pad removal group. No patella-related complications occurred during study period.