My sister had a tendon graft to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). She has an infection in the knee now. How is this treated?
The first line of treatment is an antibiotic. A sample of the infected tissue is sent to the lab to identify the cause. In this way, treatment can be as specific as possible. The doctor may also wash the joint out with a saline solution. This process is also called irrigation. It’s done under anesthetic using an arthroscope. The arthroscope is a tool that allows the doctor to see inside the joint while working on the joint. A long needle with a tiny TV camera on the end is inserted into the joint. After cleansing the joint, the doctor may scrape away any extra tissue or deposits left by the bacteria. The joint will be irrigated again one fine time. Antibiotics can be put right in the joint as well as taken orally.
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