Next Article in Journal
The Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib in the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review
Previous Article in Journal
Frailty in Older Adults with Severe Aortic Stenosis: The Role of Systemic Inflammation and Calcium Homeostasis
Previous Article in Special Issue
Culture-Negative Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Narrative Review of an Underdescribed Condition
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
JCM
Volume 14
Issue 2
10.3390/jcm14020336
jcm-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Prevention and Management of Postoperative Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Narrative Review

by
Efstathios Konstantinou
1,
Thomas Pfeiffer
2,3,
Michael S. Rocca
1,*,
Camila Grandberg
1,
Karina Dias
1 and
Volker Musahl
1
1
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3200 S Water St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA
2
Cologne Merheim Medical Center, Witten/Herdecke University, 51109 Cologne, Germany
3
Department of Experimental Sports Traumatology, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(2), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020336
Submission received: 17 December 2024 / Revised: 4 January 2025 / Accepted: 5 January 2025 / Published: 8 January 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Osteoarticular Infections: New Challenges and Current Concepts in Antibiotic Therapy)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background: Postoperative infection following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a rare yet severe complication that can compromise patient outcomes, leading to prolonged recovery, graft failure, and knee dysfunction. Although infection rates are reported to be less than 2%, it remains essential to implement strategies to reduce infection risk and improve surgical outcomes. Methods: This review explores current evidence on the prevention of infections in ACLR, emphasizing the importance of timely antibiotic prophylaxis and vancomycin presoaking of grafts, which has been associated with a substantial reduction in infection rates. Results: Empirical antibiotic therapy should be started immediately after joint aspiration when infection is suspected. Treatment must prioritize culture-specific antibiotic regimens to optimize patient outcomes. Surgical intervention with arthroscopic debridement and irrigation needs to occur as soon as the diagnosis of infection is made. Often, this is performed with a focus on retaining the graft in order to preserve knee stability, if possible. Careful intraoperative management, along with the aid of infectious disease specialists, is paramount to help optimize outcomes following infection after ACLR. Conclusions: This review emphasizes the need for treatment protocols and highlights areas for future research to establish clear guidelines on infection after ACLR, especially with decisions of graft retention versus removal.
Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; infection; prevention; grafts; biofilms; postoperative complications; arthroscopy anterior cruciate ligament; infection; prevention; grafts; biofilms; postoperative complications; arthroscopy

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Konstantinou, E.; Pfeiffer, T.; Rocca, M.S.; Grandberg, C.; Dias, K.; Musahl, V. Prevention and Management of Postoperative Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Narrative Review. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020336

AMA Style

Konstantinou E, Pfeiffer T, Rocca MS, Grandberg C, Dias K, Musahl V. Prevention and Management of Postoperative Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(2):336. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020336

Chicago/Turabian Style

Konstantinou, Efstathios, Thomas Pfeiffer, Michael S. Rocca, Camila Grandberg, Karina Dias, and Volker Musahl. 2025. "Prevention and Management of Postoperative Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Narrative Review" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 2: 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020336

APA Style

Konstantinou, E., Pfeiffer, T., Rocca, M. S., Grandberg, C., Dias, K., & Musahl, V. (2025). Prevention and Management of Postoperative Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(2), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020336

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop