What Is Bankart Repair Surgery?
Bankart repair shoulder surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to mend a tear in the glenoid labrum.
What is a Shoulder Joint Tear
Within the shoulder joint there are three bones:
- Shoulder bone (scapula)
- Collarbone (clavicle)
- Upper arm bone (humerus)
The glenoid is a socket like structure that the head of the upper arm bone sits in. The head of the upper arm bone is larger than the glenoid socket, so a soft fibrocartilage tissue (labrum) surrounds the glenoid in order to give the joint more stability. The labrum not only allows for the head of the upper arm to fit into the socket, but also allows for other ligaments to attach to the joint.
When this shoulder capsule (known as the glenoid labrum) becomes stretched, torn, or the labrum detaches from the glenoid, it can result in instability or dislocation. As the labrum continues to stretch or tear, the instability of the shoulder increases as well. If the shoulder continuously detaches from the joint, this can result in a tear of the inferior glenohumeral ligament, known as a Bankart lesion.
Types of Shoulder Labrum Tears
There are three common types of shoulder labrum tears.
Bankart Tear or Lesion
This is a tear in the lower half of the glenoid socket; it is more common in younger people with a dislocated shoulder.
SLAP Tear or Lesion
This is a tear above the middle point of the glenoid socket. The term SLAP stands for “superior labrum, anterior to posterior” or otherwise known as a tear from front to back. This sort of tear is more common among athletes who use overhead arm motions such as baseball or tennis players. Many times a SLAP tear occurs with bicep tendon damage as well.
Posterior Labrum Tear
These injuries are rare with only about 5-10% of shoulder injuries consisting of a posterior labrum tear. Posterior labrum tears are caused from injuries to the back shoulder joint.
Symptoms of a Shoulder Joint Tear
Symptoms of shoulder joint tear include:
- Pain during activities requiring mobility of the shoulder or overhead activities
- Pain in shoulder at night or during sleep
- A sensation that your shoulder is “catching, locking, popping or grinding”
- Instability in the shoulder
- Decreased shoulder mobility
- Decrease in strength of shoulder
What Causes Shoulder Joint Tears?
Some of the common causes of a shoulder joint tear are:
- Falling on an outstretched arm
- A direct hit to the shoulder
- A sudden tug on the arm
- A sudden pull when trying to lift a heavy object
- Trying to stop a fall in an overhead reach position
Who’s A Candidate For Bankart Repair Surgery?
Talk with your doctor and discuss if this procedure is right for you. You may be a candidate for a bankart repair shoulder surgery if you have:
- Suffered from traumatic or atraumatic shoulder instability
- Recurrent feelings of unsteadiness, instability or apprehension after a shoulder dislocation
- Tried other nonsurgical procedures with no sign of progress or relief
- Pain in shoulder during daily activities, or any overhead motions
- Pain in shoulder during sleep
- Decreased strength or range of motion
Benefits of Bankart Shoulder Surgery
The purpose of bankart repair surgery is to restore mobility to shoulder. It can also relieve the feeling of an unstable or dislocated shoulder. In time, the patient should experience renewed comfort and function in the injured shoulder. Like any procedure, the overall outcome of the operation depends on the patient’s condition, health and motivation and the expertise of the surgeon.
How Is This Shoulder Surgery Performed in Florida?
The bankart repair shoulder surgery aims to reattach the torn fibrocartilage tissue so the shoulder’s security, mobility, and stability may be renewed. The procedure begins with a small incision made to the front and back of the shoulder. The surgeon then inserts an arthroscope, a small camera like tool, to view inside the joint.
Next, the surgeon identifies the detached labrum and removes any loose fragments. After the surgeon has cleaned the area around the detached labrum for any excess particles, a few small holes are drilled into the bone near the detached labrum. Anchors are then placed in these holes to help stabilize the glenoid while reattachingthe labrum. After the labrum is reattached to the glenoid the surgeon begins closing up the small incision site with bandages or sutures.
What Is Recovery Like After Shoulder Surgery?
Following the procedure, the patient will be prescribed pain relievers and in some cases a drainage tube will be used to help remove excess fluid from the surgical site. Typically, patients are released after 2 days. Once the incision site is dry, and the patient feels comfortable with the pain management and medications prescribed, the post-operative instructions, and is able to continue recovering and gaining mobility in the shoulder, then they will be discharged.
Upon discharge the patient will be advised to wear a sling and follow up with physical therapy in order to make a full recovery. Physical therapy will help to build the strength that was lost in the shoulder, regain mobility, and eventually the labrum will reattach to glenoid naturally. Patients may continue to see progress in activities and the range of motion in the shoulder for up to a year after surgery.
Risks of Bankart Repair Shoulder Surgery
Some risks to be aware of that have been associated with bankart repair shoulder surgery include:
- Infection
- Pain
- Continued instability
- Inability to carry out the planned repair
- Additional surgeries
- Injury to nerves/blood vessels
- Tear to rotator cuff
- Stiffness of joint
It is important to speak with your doctor and surgeons on the likelihood of such risks, and any potential concerns or questions you may have prior to the operation.