Fat Pad Impingement Stage 1

Below you will find advice as to how to deal with this injury – by becoming a member, you can
also access all our video advice.

Remember to have this confirmed by your sports doctor, or sports therapist.

You can diagnose other running injury’s here.

Previous step

Cut running to a minimum, or stop and cross train, and then make sure you follow the correct protocol for introducing running again (video).
Perform the ‘IMPORTANT’ and ‘OPTIONAL’ video advice below.
Perform the ‘ESSENTIAL CHECKS’ videos below, which assess if you need orthotics, how stable your hip muscles are (if they are not, then click here), if there is a difference in your leg lengths, whether you need new shoes, if your core stability is strong enough (if it isn’t, then click here).
Ensure you check you are running with good form (click here)
Before following the rehabilitation advice, read our treatment precautions.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen help reduce the pain and inflammation.
Acupuncture can help.
Ice the area 3 to 4 times per day for 20 minutes at a time (see videos below).
Wearing a knee support with a hole can help.
Taping the knee may also help to reduce the symptoms as you heal (see videos below).
As your symptoms start to subside, and you can start to gently run again, you can then go on to STAGE 2 of rehabilitation.

Occasionally Fat Pad impingement may require surgical intervention.

If symptoms do not start to respond to rehabilitation in the first 3-4 weeks, seek advice from your doctor or sports therapist.

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