WISSENSCHAFTLICHER BEITRAG

The aim of our study was a biomechanical and neurohistological examination of the infrapatellar fat pad. We measured the intracorporal tissue pressure during knee motion with a microsensor and the volume of the anterior knee compartiment following a total excision of the fat pad. The number and distribution of nerves in the fat pad, especially pain afferent substance-P-nerves, was analyzed. We found a significant increase of the intracorporal pressure at knee flexion under 20° and over 100°. The minimum volume was found at 0° and 120°, the maximum volume at 50° of knee flexion. Pain sensitive nerves were found in all segments of the fat pad, in a high rate (48%) associated to small vessels.