Introduction. Cyclops syndrome is one of the causes of failure of anterior
cruciate ligament reconstruction. The aim of the study was to examine the
quality of life of patients who had this complication and its consequences
till the return to unrestricted (sports) activities. Material and Methods.
During an eighteen-year follow-up of 4330 patients, cyclops syndrome was
found in 71 patients (1.64%). This study included 60 of them, who agreed to
fill out a questionnaire and functional scoring scales. Results and
Discussion. The mean Tegner score was 5.95 and Lysholm score was 86.13
points. After the arthroscopic removal of cyclops lesion, excellent results
were found in 22 patients (36.7%), good in 19 (31.7%), poor in 16 (26.7%)
and very poor in three cases (5%). On average, athletes lose 10 months from
injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It takes at least 6
months to return to competitive sports. If cyclops lesion occurs, it takes
approximately 10 months to arthroscopy, and on average 3 months of
postoperative recovery. Conclusion. Cyclops lesion is a complication that
significantly compromises the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction, in terms of functional scores, subjective symptoms, the
intensity of sports activities, and quality of life. Arthroscopic removal of
the cyclops lesion leads to satisfactory postoperative results, but athletes
lose 2.5 years on the whole, from injury to return to unrestricted sports
activities.