What is a Bankart Repair?
Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body. It is dependent on muscles, ligaments (including the joint ‘capsule’) and a rim of cartilage (called the labrum) to stabilise it during movement.
Some injuries to the shoulder can dislocate it forwards, stretching and in some cases, tearing the joint capsule and ligaments away from the front of the joint. A tear of the anterior-inferior labrum is called a Bankart Lesion.
The operation involves tightening and/or repairing the overstretched and damaged ligaments, capsule and cartilage. The surgeon will reattach a torn labrum back to the shoulder socket using special anchors.
What are the benefits of having a Bankart Repair?
The purpose of a Bankart repair operation is to re-attach the capsule and ligaments to the socket of the shoulder joint to restore stability to your shoulder and prevent further dislocations.
What are the risks of having a Bankart Repair?
All operations involve an element of risk, these are very small but you need to be aware of them and can discuss them with your doctor at any time. The risks are:
- Complications relating to the anaesthetic
- Infection
- Stiffness and or pain around the shoulder
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels around the shoulder
- Repeat surgery e.g. if the repair fails and shoulder becomes unstable again – occurs in only 2-10% of cases.
