PURPOSE: Infection after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a serious but uncommon complication. Optimal management has not been established. The purpose of our case series was to review our experience and published reports to identify risk factors, evaluate physical and laboratory findings, compare different treatments, and assess clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of all the arthroscopic ACL reconstructions performed at our institution between 1994 and 2002. @entity1 with @entity281 were evaluated and, when available, comparisons were made between @entity1 with extra-articular @entity281 and uncomplicated postoperative ACL reconstructions. RESULTS: Eleven postoperative @entity281 were identified, all in @entity1 who had hamstring autograft. Previous knee surgery, especially previous ACL reconstruction and tibial ACL graft fixation with a post and washer, was associated with @entity281 . Laboratory data revealed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (average, 67), @entity1851 (average, 14), and intra-articular blood cell count (average, 52,000). All @entity281 were eradicated with serial arthroscopic incision and drainage (average, 2.4 procedures) and intravenous antibiotics (duration, 14 to 42 days). The graft was retained in 10 of 11 @entity1 . At an average follow-up of 22 months, the average Lysholm functional knee score was 71.6 out of 100 points (range, 36-99). Of the 5 @entity1 with fair/poor results, the most common chief complaint was @entity158 and @entity2693 . CONCLUSIONS: Long-term goals for treatment of @entity1 with @entity86 are to protect the articular cartilage and to maintain knee function. Timely initiation of treatment, including joint lavage, debridement, and antibiotics, are essential to treatment. Graft and hardware retention can successfully accomplish these long-term goals. However, if early clinical response is not acceptable, strong consideration should be given to expedient graft and hardware removal. Excellent outcomes can be obtained, but results are usually lower than with uncomplicated cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

XXXX following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity1851 :: ('1401', 'Gene') :: ['C-reactive protein'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['increased infection', 'infections', 'intra-articular infections'] @entity86 :: ('MESH:D019106', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative ACL infections'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity2693 :: ('MESH:C566112', 'Disease') :: ['stiffness']
@entity281 :: (MESH:D007239,Disease) :: ['Infections']
