Bankart repairs entail re-anchoring and suturing a torn piece of cartilage to restore security and stability to the shoulder. This procedure is usually performed arthroscopically, which is a minimally invasive surgical approach.
By virtue of arthroscopy, the patient can generally go home the same day, and their recovery will be faster and safer.
Bankart lesions are often the consequences of high energy trauma, sports injuries, or overuse from repetitive arm motions. While anyone can sustain this injury, young people in their twenties are the most susceptible.
Before surgery, many patients report a feeling of pain or instances where the ball may slip out of the joint during certain movements.
The purpose of a Bankart repair is to re-attach and tighten the torn labrum, which is cartilage that lines the shoulder joint and ligaments of the shoulder. To achieve it, the orthopedic surgeon inserts the arthroscope into a small incision and uses sutures and small bone anchors to secure the ligaments in place. The procedure involves tiny incisions around the shoulder region. Through the incisions, the surgeon will insert the arthroscope, which has a camera attached so that the surgeon can view the shoulder structures on a monitor.
Some of the most notable benefits of undergoing a Bankart repair arthroscopically are:
The arthroscopic Bankart repair is a very effective procedure to treat patients who have anterior shoulder instability. Most patients who suffered a traumatic anterior dislocation of their shoulder will tear the fibrocartilage labrum at the front of the shoulder. Some of these patients will develop chronic instability in their shoulders, and their shoulders will keep dislocating. This can have a substantial impact on their ability to participate in sports and, sometimes, it will also affect their work. For this reason, if a patient has a Bankart injury, it is best to seek a reputable, experienced orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible.
Completing rehabilitation, both at the hospital and at home is the key to achieving a full recovery when a labrum tear is involved. However, the recovery time varies for each patient. Many patients feel that they have regained full use of their shoulder and arm between 3 and 6 months after surgery. In some cases, recovery may take longer – 9 to 12 months.