Fig. 3

Hoffa's test for assessing fat pad tenderness. First, the knee is flexed. Next, the fat pad (lateral or medial) is depressed into the patellofemoral joint with the thumb. Next, the knee is extended while forcing the fat pad into the patellofemoral joint. A normal fat pad is not tender with this test. A painful, enlarged fat pad may be exquisitely tender with this maneuver