[Management algorithm for septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]

To summarize the experience in the diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

A retrospective review was conducted of all the arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions performed at Department of Sports Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital between January 2001 and December 2020. In the study, 65 of 27 867 patients experienced postoperative septic arthritis. The incidence, presentation, laboratory results, treatment, and outcome of all the infected patients were analyzed. The experiences of diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were summarized.

A total of 27 867 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were performed at our department between January 2001 and December 2020. In the study, 65 (0.23%) patients were identified with postoperative septic arthritis. The most common symptoms of the infected patients were fever (38.7±0.5) ℃, knee swelling, pain, and restricted motion. The mean peripheral white blood cell count (WBC) was (9.2±2.6)×10⁹/L (range 4.2×10⁹/L-19.4×10⁹/L), with (72.5±6.3) % (range 54.9%-85.1%) polymorphonuclear neutrophils (N). The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was (59.9±24.1) mm/h (range 9-108 mm/h), C-reactive protein (CRP) was (10.9±5.7) mg/dL (range 1.2-30.8 mg/dL), and fibrinogen (FIB) level was (7.0±1.6) g/L (range 3.7-10.8 g/L). All of the laboratory results were statistically higher in the infection group compared with the normal postoperative group (P＜0.001). The synovial white blood cell count (SWBC) of aspirated knee joint fluid was (45.0±29.8)×10⁹/L (range 7.1×10⁹-76.5×10⁹/L). Polymorphonuclear cell percentage (PMNC) was (90.27±7.86) % (range 60%-97%). In the study, 45 patients (69.2%) had positive aspirate cultures. Microbiology showed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) were the most common bacterium (34 cases and 7 cases, individually). There were 26 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. Both conservative (16 patients) and operative (49 patients) treatments were effective, but conservative group had a longer recovery time (5.6 d vs. 1.6 d, P=0.042).

Septic arthritis after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a rare but potentially devastating complication. The correct diagnosis relies on synovial fluid analysis and bacterial culture. Our proposed treatment protocol is arthroscopic debridement and antibiotic therapy as quickly as possible.