What is a Bankart or Labrum Tear?
The shoulder labrum is a thick piece of tissue attached to the rim of the shoulder socket that helps keep the ball of the joint in place. A torn labrum, which is a tear of this tissue around the socket of your shoulder, causes shoulder pain. This condition can be corrected with a Bankart Repair procedure.
What causes a Bankart Tear?
High energy trauma and sports injuries are the most common reasons for Bankart tears. They can occur through acute injuries or repetitive overuse injuries, as well.
How a Bankart or Labrum Tear is Diagnosed:
A physical examination along with a magnetic resonance image (MRI), CT scan, and/or shoulder arthroscopy will typically be used to diagnose a labrum tear. The severity of labrum tears varies. It can be completely separated from the bone, it can tear within or along the edge of the labrum, or it can be ruptured at the attachment point of the bicep tendon.
What is Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
The patient is given an anesthetic to numb the shoulder and relax you or put you to sleep. Small incisions are made to allow an arthroscope (very small camera) to be inserted into the shoulder area along with special surgical instruments.
Bankart Repair Protocol
A few small holes are drilled into the bone along the edge of the shoulder socket. Anchors, which are screws designed for this purpose, are inserted into the holes. The surgeon stitches the labrum to these anchors, which holds the labrum in its normal, original position.
How long does Bankart repair take?
The procedure generally takes about an hour with additional time for pre and post operative preparation.
After Bankart Surgery
The skin is closed with stitches which will heal fairly quickly post-surgery. After the anesthetic wears off, you will be able to return home. Your surgical team will provide instructions on how to care for your incision area to help it heal.
