Cyclops Syndrome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction — A Case Report



Verrone L A1*, Miccichè L1, Mantio T1, Nizzo G J1, Rizzuto G1, Petrantoni S2, Luvaro A2

1 Department of Orthopaedics, UOC Ortopedia, Presidio Ospedaliero Maria Immacolata Longo, Mussomeli (CL), Sicily, Italy.

2 Department of Physiotherapy, UOC Ortopedia, Presidio Ospedaliero Maria Immacolata Longo, Mussomeli (CL), Sicily, Italy.

*Corresponding Author: Luciano A. Verrone, Orthopedic surgeon, Arthroscopy, Sports medicine, UOC Ortopedia, Presidio Ospedaliero Maria Immacolata Longo, Mussomeli (CL), Sicily, Italy.

https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAOR.2025.05.004

Received: January 02, 2025

Published: February 03, 2025

Citation: Verrone L A, Micciche L, Mantio T, Nizzo G J, Rizzuto G, Petrantoni S, Luvaro A. Cyclops Syndrome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction — A Case Report. SVOA Orthopaedics 2025, 5:1, 25-29. doi: 10.58624/SVOAOR.2025.05.004

 

Abstract

Cyclops syndrome is one of the specific causes of loss of extension of the knee following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The syndrome is manifested by progressive loss of terminal extension, anterior knee pain and altered gait biomechanics caused by a fibrous nodule of granulation tissue that is located anteriorly along the graft, in the intercondylar notch, starting frequently over 4 to 6 months after the surgery. In symptomatic patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can confirm the diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Management of cyclops syndrome requires arthroscopic excision followed by early and intensive postoperative physiotherapy to regain knee extension. Our purpose is to present a case report of a cyclops syndrome as a complication of an ACL reconstruction performed with an autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft in a semi-professional football player, treated successfully with arthroscopic excision and physiotherapy.

Keywords: ACL reconstruction complication; Loss of extension; Cyclops syndrome.