The infection in Tom Brady's surgically repaired left knee has potentially put the New England Patriots quarterback at risk of having to undergo a second ACL reconstruction, The Boston Herald reported.
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Doctors concerned by the infection have performed three procedures in an attempt to eradicate it, a source told the newspaper. Brady said on his Web site that he had an arthroscopic procedure done to "clean and to test the wound" last Wednesday, but the paper said two additional procedures have been performed since that time.
According to the source, the fear is the patellar tendon graft used to replace Brady's anterior cruciate ligament is in danger of becoming compromised and may have to be removed. A new reconstruction would push back his rehabilitation, effectively forcing him to start from scratch, and could delay his return to the field.
Brady's initial surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Oct. 6 at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, where he is still being seen for the follow-up procedures.
Brady was injured in season opener against Kansas City on a hit by safety Bernard Pollard. Brady tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.
The QB wrote on TomBrady.com that "the infection is very treatable and, through a course of antibiotics, it will be knocked out of my system." Brady referred to the second procedure as being "proactive" by doctors and said results have been positive.
The additional procedures indicate either there are still signs of infection or his doctor is being highly cautious with the 2007 NFL season MVP, the paper said.
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