Cyclops lesion post-meniscal repair

An adolescent with a knee sprain was submitted to meniscoplasty for a discoid meniscus with anterior horn detachment and posterior horn rupture, achieving a pain-free full range of motion at 5 months. However, he developed knee pain and extension deficit after a year. An MRI indicated anterior arthrofibrosis despite an intact ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), confirmed and treated with arthroscopic debridement. The patient fully recovered.This case underscores the rare incidence of anterior arthrofibrosis post-meniscal repair, indicating it can develop even without ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Its formation may be related to the surgical creation of an anterior working space, similar to that in ACLR procedures, and highlights the importance of considering anterior arthrofibrosis in differential diagnoses for postoperative knee pain and extension loss. Effective management and awareness of potential risk factors are crucial for preventing such lesions.