How do you tell if there is acl reconstruction failure?

Knee feels unstable: There are many ways to define failure after acl recon. The graft can fail traumatically or because of a technical error either way you will feel the knee is unstable and slides in and out of place with buckling and giving away. At this point an MRI scan can be used to evaluate the status of the acl graft.

ACL Failure: If your knee is feeling unstable, giving out on you or buckling after acl reconstruction, then you should see a sports doctor. Through physical exam and an mri, you can determine if there is a failure. You can have an intact graft and still a failure if it has stretched out!