Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Revision ACL Surgery
Medically reviewed by Dr. Pushpinder Singh Bajaj, Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Center for Sports Injury | Last reviewed: 03rd October 2026
Is your knee still giving way after ACL surgery? You are not alone. A failed ACL reconstruction can be treated with revision ACL surgery, but it is more complex than the first operation. Ask your surgeon these eight questions before you decide.
Why did my first ACL surgery fail?
Knowing the cause matters. Common reasons include a new injury, a graft that stretched or did not heal, bone tunnels placed slightly off-position, or missed damage such as a meniscus tear. Your surgeon should explain what went wrong so it is not repeated.
Do I really need a second ACL surgery?
Not always. If your knee feels stable and you avoid pivoting sports, physiotherapy may be enough. Surgery is usually advised when the knee keeps giving way in daily life or sport. Also ask what could happen if you wait.
Which scans will I need, and will it be one operation or two?
Expect a clinical examination, X-ray and MRI, and sometimes a CT scan to check the bone tunnels. CSI’s DiagKnow centre offers weight-bearing open MRI, which images the knee standing. If the old tunnels are too wide, bone grafting may come first, with the ligament rebuilt later.
Which graft will you use this time?
Options include your hamstring, patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon or a donor graft (allograft). The best choice depends on the graft used before, your age and your sport. Ask why your surgeon prefers it.
Is revision ACL surgery riskier, and how well does it work?
Results are usually good, but they are less predictable than a first surgery, and the risk of another tear is somewhat higher. Stiffness and infection are possible. Ask your surgeon for realistic expectations based on your knee, not general averages.
How long is recovery, and when can I play sport again?
Rehab is often slower than after a first surgery. Many surgeons advise around 6-9 months, sometimes longer, before returning to sport. Ask for a written rehab plan. Read our ACL recovery timeline and life after ACL surgery guides.
How much will revision ACL surgery cost, and will insurance cover it?
Costs vary with the graft, implants, hospital stay and whether one or two stages are needed. Ask for a written estimate and check your policy with your insurer or TPA beforehand. Our guide to ACL reconstruction surgery in India explains the procedure, so you know what the estimate should include.
How many revision ACL surgeries have you performed?
Revision surgery is technically demanding, so experience matters. Ask about your surgeon’s revision caseload, training and results. At CSI, Dr. Pushpinder Singh Bajaj has performed over 15,000 arthroscopic and sports surgeries and more than 5,000 joint replacements, with fellowship training in the UK, Germany and Australia. Dr. Shrey Singhal completed a fellowship in arthroscopic sports medicine and arthroplasty and specialises in ligament, cartilage and soft-tissue injuries of the knee and shoulder. Meet our consultants.
Meet the Surgeons Behind Revision ACL Care at CSI
Revision ACL surgery goes best when the surgeon, imaging and rehabilitation work together. At Center for Sports Injury, you can plan the scans, surgery and physiotherapy under one roof, with two senior orthopaedic surgeons to guide you.
Dr. Pushpinder Singh Bajaj
Senior Consultant, Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement, Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery | Founder Chairman & Managing Director, CSI
MS (Ortho), DNB (Ortho), FIAS (UK), MSc Orthopaedics (UK), AO Fellowship (Germany), Diploma in Sports Medicine (UK), Arthroscopy & Joint Replacement Fellowship (Australia)
- 30+ years of experience in sports medicine, arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery and joint replacement, with training and work in the UK, Australia, Germany and the USA.
- Over 15,000 arthroscopic and sports surgery procedures and more than 5,000 joint replacements to his credit.
- Special interests include minimally invasive ligament reconstruction and revision joint
- President of ISKSAA, a society that trains orthopaedic surgeons, with publications in national and international journals.
- Has treated elite athletes across cricket, tennis, golf and
Dr. Shrey Singhal
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon | Arthroscopy, Arthroplasty & Complex Trauma
MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), Fellowship in Arthroscopic Sports Medicine & Arthroplasty
- Performs minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures for the knee, shoulder and sports
- Skilled in managing ligament, cartilage and soft-tissue This matters in revision cases, where missed damage such as a meniscus tear can be behind a failed first surgery.
- Offers advanced joint replacement, including robotic-assisted techniques, and complex trauma
- Follows a patient-first approach: he takes time to explain your condition and options, and builds a personalised rehabilitation plan. It is the same open conversation these eight questions are designed to start.
Ready to Speak to a Specialist?
Bring your previous operation notes and MRI reports to your consultation. Visit Center for Sports Injury at B-5/4, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi (Delhi NCR), call 011 4122 3333, or book a consultation.
This article is for general information only and does not replace personal medical advice.