Bankart Repair: Overview and Recovery from a Patient’s Perspective
- How Is a Bankart Repair Performed?
- Who is a Good Candidate for Bankart Repair?
- Bankart Repair Recovery Timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A Bankart repair is a surgical procedure to prevent recurring anterior shoulder dislocations due to instability in the back of the shoulder. The most common form of shoulder ligament injury is the Bankart lesion, where the ligaments are torn from the front of the socket.
Doug Letourneau is an avid basketball player in his free time. When he dislocated his shoulder during a game, he wanted to treat his injury as quickly as possible and get back on the court. Doug scheduled an appointment to see Bryan L. Reuss, M.D., a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, knee, shoulder, and hip surgery at Orlando Orthopaedic Center.
After discussing his options with Dr. Reuss, Doug decided to treat the injury through rehabilitation at first. But, when treating the injury with conservative measures didn’t work, Doug opted to undergo a left shoulder Bankart repair on his anterior labrum. Three months later, he feels like his shoulder is back to normal, and he’s back to playing the sport he loves.
“I was able to rehab my shoulder at first, but I dislocated it again about six months later. That’s when I decided to have the surgery,” says Doug. “My biggest benefit from the procedure was being able to get back to doing all my athletic activities 100 percent – playing basketball, and golf. I can now do everything without having to worry about my shoulder being unstable.”
How Is a Bankart Repair Performed?
Doug Letourneau (right) dislocated his shoulder playing basketball and underwent a left shoulder Bankart repair on his anterior labrum to repair the instability with Dr. Bryan L. Reuss (left). Today he says he is 100 percent back to normal and is even playing the sport he loves again.
A Bankart repair involves re-anchoring and suturing the torn piece of cartilage to restore security and stability to the shoulder. This procedure is typically performed arthroscopically at an outpatient surgery center, meaning patients go home several hours after the surgery has been completed.
The glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilage rim surrounding the edge of the glenoid fossa (shoulder socket). This labrum can be damaged or torn in different ways. When a patient’s shoulder is dislocated, the anterior (front) portion of the labrum is often torn. This is called a Bankart tear or lesion, and it is the most common form of ligament injury to the shoulder.
“Prior to surgery, patients report a feeling of pain or instances where the ball may actually slip out of the joint in certain positions or during certain movements,” says Dr. Reuss. “If untreated, this slippage may continue and become more common as the injury worsens.”
“A Bankart repair is one of the minimally invasive, tissue-sparing options we use to treat shoulder instability when an anterior labrum injury has occurred,” Dr. Reuss continues. “This is one of the best ways to increase the security and comfort of the shoulder.”
The goal of the procedure is to re-attach and tighten the torn labrum and ligaments of the shoulder. To do so, the surgeon inserts an arthroscope into a small incision and uses sutures and small bone anchors to secure the ligaments firmly in place.
Who is a Good Candidate for Bankart Repair?
You may be a candidate for Bankart repair if you have:
- Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations or a feeling of instability.
- Confirmed Bankart lesion (labrum tear) on imaging.
- Failed conservative treatments such as physical therapy or activity modification.
- A desire to return to sports, work, or activities that place demands on your shoulder.
- No significant bone loss or other medical conditions that would prevent healing.
Bankart Repair Recovery Timeline
- Week 0–2:
- Sling used for shoulder protection.
- Gentle hand, wrist, and elbow movement allowed.
- Ice and anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed.
- Sling used for shoulder protection.
- Weeks 3–6:
- Begin guided physical therapy focusing on a gentle range of motion.
- Continue sling use as recommended.
- Avoid lifting, pushing, or pulling with the affected arm.
- Begin guided physical therapy focusing on a gentle range of motion.
- Weeks 7–12:
- Gradual increase in motion and gentle strengthening exercises.
- Reduce or discontinue sling use based on your surgeon’s advice.
- Continue avoiding high-impact or overhead activities.
- Gradual increase in motion and gentle strengthening exercises.
- Months 4–6:
- Regain near-full range of motion.
- Begin sport-specific or job-specific strengthening.
- Clearance for light sport activity if healing is on track.
- Regain near-full range of motion.
- Months 7–12:
- Return to full activity and sports when cleared by your surgeon.
- Continue maintenance exercises to prevent re-injury.
- Return to full activity and sports when cleared by your surgeon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How successful is Bankart repair surgery?
A: Success rates are generally high, with most patients regaining stability and returning to their desired activities. Success is highest when rehabilitation is completed as recommended.
Q: What are the risks of Bankart repair?
A: Risks include stiffness, infection, nerve injury, recurrent instability, and incomplete healing of the labrum.
Q: How soon can I return to sports after Bankart repair?
A: Most athletes return to full sport between 6–9 months after surgery, depending on sport type, healing, and rehabilitation progress.
Q: Will my shoulder be as strong as before?
A: With proper rehab, many patients regain full strength, though this can vary depending on injury severity and overall health.
Q: Can Bankart repair fail?
A: Yes, although uncommon, re-injury or incomplete healing can cause recurrence. Adhering to post-surgery restrictions greatly reduces this risk.
