Objective    To explore the efficacy of arthroscopic surgery for Hoffa’s disease in athletes.     Methods    From September 2002 to February 2007

the infrapatellar fat pad excision under arthroscope was performed on 31 athletes with Hoffa’s disease

some of whom underwent lateral retinaculum lysis. Their outcomes were evaluated by Insall score system.　    Results    All the patients were followed up for 7-34 months (average 18±4.8 months). The outcomes were excellent in 17 patients (54.8%)

good in 8 (25.8%)

fair in 4 (12.9%) and poor in 2 (6.5%). The patients who achieved excellent and good outcomes

resumed routine exercises and competitions at (9.2±3.7) weeks (range 7.1-14.5) after surgery.      Conclusion    To athletes

Hoffa’s disease is the common cause of anterior pain of knee. The infrapatellar fat pad excision under arthroscope is an effective and minimally invasive management of Hoffa’s disease.