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Cruciate - complications

Submitted by admin on March 13, 2008 - 8:37pm.

 

Generally in good hands cruciate ligament reconstruction is highly successful, but major complications may occur.

At the recipient site (where the new graft is positioned) complications of cruciate surgery can include:

  • Graft rupture - Rupture of the graft may occur secondary to poor positioning, overgrowth of the bony notch through which the graft passes or aggressive rehabilitation too early, before the new blood supply has grown in and the tendon fibres have regained strength.
  • Cyclops lesion - a lumpy obstruction in the joint, limiting range of movement, and due to excessive scar tissue in the notch.
Cyclops lesion
  • Loosening of the fixation device - Fixation devices may become loose at the femoral or tibial bone shaft or in the tunnels.
  • Graft too tight or too loose - It is essential that the surgeon has skill in measuring and 'tensioning' the graft, to ensure that it is exactly the right length when put under stress.
  • Arthrofibrosis - Excessive scar tissue in the joint leading to limitation of flexibility. 
  • Infection

At the donor site (where the graft material has been 'harvested' from) complications can include:

  • Patellar fracture - Fracture (break) of the kneecap when patellar tendon is used as the graft material.
  • Infection
  • Hernia at the site of a hamstrings harvest

Remote from recipient or donor site complications can include:

  • Arthrofibrosis - Scarring in and around the knee joint, leading to a stiff knee and patellar problems (patella infers (baja) and pain.
  • Compartment Syndrome - Where irrigation of the joint with fluid under pressure leads to tracking of the fluid into the calf with tense swelling.
  • Haemarthrosis - bleeding into the joint space
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