I think my knee cap is not tracking properly - MRI scan shows a minor impingement of the fat pad.

Hi,

Approximately 7 years ago, I lifted my body off the ground with heavy dumbbells in my hands and once I did this, my right leg made a pop sound and my thigh became very stiff. There was no swelling and after 1 hour the stiffness had gone away. The next day and ever since I've been getting constant clicking/grinding noises whenever I bend my knee, such as squatting or going up the stairs and I have pain/tenderness all around the knee cap. I have no problem fully extending my leg either. About 1 year after I injured myself, my left knee started clicking as well along with the same knee pain/tenderness. The left knee starting one year later was probably down to the fact that the injury had affected both knees at the time of the injury, but perhaps had not affected the left knee as much at the time, but eventually gave way and let itself go.

I had an MRI scan in my right knee and the doctor told me that the result was normal, even though it said I had a minor impingement of the Hoffa's fat pad. I knew that this impingement was probably caused by the injury. I believe I have a patellar tracking issue in both knees and that I need to do exercises and see a physiotherapist to give me specific exercises based on my issue. I have been referred to a physiotherapist for the second time - I was referred the first time 2 years ago, only to get a phone call asking me questions with exercises sent through the post, which made my knees worse! No one has actually looked at my knees in person.

Based on the information I have given, do you think that the minor impingement of the Hoffa's fat pad really is not important given that I have knee pain and constant clicking in the knees? Does it sound to like the main thing I need to do is focus on getting the tracking of the patellar corrected by doing exercises?

Many thanks for your help,

2 likes, 1 reply