Hypertrophy of (infrapatellar) fat pad

This code describes an enlargement or overgrowth of the infrapatellar fat pad, also known as Hoffa's fat pad, located beneath the kneecap. This hypertrophy can lead to impingement, pain, and inflammation within the knee joint, often exacerbated by knee extension. It is a common cause of anterior knee pain.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates hypertrophy of the infrapatellar fat pad as the primary diagnosis or a significant contributing factor to the patient's knee symptoms. This diagnosis is typically supported by physical examination findings (e.g., tenderness over the fat pad) and imaging studies such as MRI, which can visualize the enlarged fat pad.

• Ensure documentation specifies "hypertrophy" of the fat pad, not just inflammation (e.g., Hoffa's disease, which has a different code).
• Consider sequencing this code after a more specific knee injury or condition if the fat pad hypertrophy is a secondary complication.
• Review imaging reports (MRI) for explicit mention of infrapatellar fat pad hypertrophy to support code assignment.