Inflammatory Arthropathy After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Report.

CASE: A 21-year-old man presented with a postoperative arthropathy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with symptoms resembling septic arthritis. After irrigation and debridement (I&D), the definitive diagnosis of a seronegative inflammatory arthropathy was reached and his symptoms resolved with the administration of immunomodulatory medications.

CONCLUSION

The devastating complications of delayed treatment for septic arthritis often compel surgeons to perform I&Ds before a complete diagnostic workup is completed. This highlights that surgeons must be aware that not all postoperative arthropathies with elevated inflammatory markers are septic arthritis and a broad differential must be maintained to avoid delayed diagnosis and unnecessary procedures.