BANKART REPAIR
Repair The Labrum.
Restore Stability.
Bankart repair is a shoulder stabilization procedure used to repair the torn labrum and capsule after traumatic shoulder instability or recurrent dislocation.
Repair Torn Stabilizer
Restore Soft Tissue Tension
Reduce Dislocation Risk
Return With Confidence
What Is A Bankart Tear?
A Bankart tear is an injury to the labrum and capsule at the front of the shoulder socket. It commonly occurs when the shoulder dislocates and can make the shoulder more likely to slip out again.
Common Symptoms
- History of shoulder dislocation
- Feeling that the shoulder may slip out
- Pain with throwing or overhead activity
- Clicking, catching, or shifting
- Loss of confidence in the shoulder
- Recurrent instability during sports
Who May Need Surgery?
- Young active patients after traumatic dislocation
- Athletes with recurrent instability
- Patients with labral tears and persistent symptoms
- Patients who fail physical therapy
- Patients with repeated subluxations or dislocations
How Bankart Repair Works
During Bankart repair, the torn labrum and capsule are repaired back to the shoulder socket using small anchors and sutures. The goal is to restore the soft tissue restraint that helps keep the shoulder centered in the socket.
Surgical Goals
- Repair the torn labrum
- Tighten the stretched capsule
- Restore shoulder stability
- Reduce the risk of future dislocation
- Preserve shoulder motion
- Support return to sport and activity
When Bankart Repair May Not Be Enough
- Significant glenoid bone loss
- Large Hill-Sachs lesion
- Failed prior stabilization surgery
- High-risk collision athlete
- Poor capsular tissue quality
- Multiple recurrent dislocations
Bankart Repair Versus Latarjet
Bankart repair is primarily a soft tissue stabilization procedure. Latarjet is a bone-block stabilization procedure that may be more appropriate when bone loss, collision sports, or failed prior surgery makes soft tissue repair less reliable.
Bankart Repair
- Arthroscopic soft tissue repair
- Best for selected patients with limited bone loss
- Repairs labrum and capsule
- Preserves anatomy
- Often used after first-time traumatic instability in appropriate patients
Latarjet Procedure
- Bone-block stabilization
- Useful when bone loss is present
- Often considered after failed Bankart repair
- May be preferred for some high-risk athletes
- Addresses instability through bone and tendon sling effects
Recovery After Bankart Repair
Recovery after Bankart repair focuses on protecting the labral repair while gradually restoring motion, strength, control, and confidence. Return to contact sports or high-demand activity is individualized.
Protection
Sling use protects the repair during early healing.
Motion
Motion is restored gradually while avoiding instability positions.
Strength
Strengthening progresses after the repair has healed sufficiently.
Return
Return to sport depends on healing, strength, control, and sport demands.