Cyclops Syndrome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction — A Case Report

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.