Get a clear diagnosis and expert guidance from a sports medicine knee specialist in the DC area.
If you’ve already had ACL reconstruction but your knee:
- Still feels unstable
- Still gives way
- Still swells with activity
- Never felt “right”
- Or you re-injured it
…you may have a failed ACL graft or a new ACL tear.
This is frustrating. And it’s not rare.
Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who treats complex knee injuries, including failed ACL reconstructions and ACL revision surgery.
✅ Careful evaluation of why the ACL failed
✅ MRI and imaging review
✅ Clear plan — surgical and non-surgical options
✅ Thoughtful, case-by-case decision making
Why Do ACL Reconstructions Fail?
ACL surgery can fail for several reasons:
- A new injury or re-tear
- Graft stretching or rupture
- Improper graft placement
- Untreated associated injuries (meniscus, cartilage, other ligaments)
- Poor healing or biological factors
- Returning to sports too soon
Sometimes:
The surgery was technically fine — but something else in the knee was missed.
Signs Your ACL Reconstruction May Have Failed
- The knee:
- Still gives way
- Feels unstable when pivoting or turning
- Swells with activity
- Can’t be trusted for sports
- You:
- Never regained confidence in the knee
- Or re-injured it after surgery
Do All Failed ACLs Need Another Surgery?
No. But many do.
First, the real question is:
Why is the knee unstable?
Some patients:
- Have pain but not true instability
- Or have problems from:
- Meniscus
- Cartilage
- Arthritis
- Hardware
Others:
- Truly have a failed graft and do need revision ACL surgery.
The most important step is:
A careful, honest diagnosis before talking about another operation.
What Makes ACL Revision Surgery Different?
Revision ACL surgery is:
- More complex than first-time ACL surgery
- Requires:
- Understanding why the first one failed
- Careful planning
- Sometimes staged procedures
- Sometimes bone grafting
- Careful graft choice and tunnel placement
This is not cookie-cutter surgery.
What Happens at Your Visit
- Detailed history of:
- Your original injury
- Your surgery
- Your rehab
- What went wrong
- Careful knee exam
- Review of:
- X-rays
- MRI
- Prior surgical records (if available)
- Clear explanation of:
- Why your knee is unstable or painful
- Whether the ACL graft has failed
- What your real options are
You will leave knowing:
What’s actually wrong and what it would take to fix it.
Why See Dr. Pandarinath?
- Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine
- Extensive experience with:
- Primary ACL reconstruction
- Revision ACL reconstruction
- Meniscus and cartilage injuries
- Known for:
- Thoughtful surgical planning
- Avoiding unnecessary surgery
- Honest conversations about expectations and outcomes
Can You Get Back to Sports After Revision ACL Surgery?
Often, yes.
But:
- It depends on:
- The reason for failure
- The condition of the knee
- Meniscus and cartilage health
- Your goals
Revision surgery is about:
Restoring stability, function, and confidence — not just fixing an MRI.
Request an Appointment
If you’ve already had ACL surgery and your knee still doesn’t feel right:
👉 Click above to request an appointment
📞 Or call our office to schedule an evaluation
You don’t have to accept an unstable knee as “just how it is.”
About Rajeev Pandarinath, MD
Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in complex knee and shoulder injuries.
He treats:
- Failed ACL reconstructions
- Primary and revision ACL surgery
- Meniscus and cartilage injuries
- Sports and activity-related knee problems
His approach emphasizes:
- Correct diagnosis
- Careful planning
- Matching treatment to patient goals and expectations