Septic Arthritis After Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Retrospective Analysis of Incidence, Management and Outcome

BackgroundSeptic arthritis after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a rare complication. In the literature, several different managements are proposed.HypothesisThe graft can be retained during treatment of a septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Study DesignCase series; Level of evidence, 4.MethodsA retrospective analysis of knee joint infections occurring after arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions was conducted. Fifteen patients were treated for postoperative septic arthritis of the knee after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between 1996 and 2005. All patients underwent an urgent extensive arthroscopic debridement (washout and synovectomy) and parenteral antibiotics and oral antibiotics subsequently. Repetitive wash-outs were performed if necessary. The average time at follow-up for our series was 58 months (range, 9-99 months).ResultsOnly 1 graft was removed during debridement because it was nonfunctional. All o...