[The results of arthroscopic Bankart repair with suture anchors].

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the results of arthroscopic Bankart repair in patients with postraumatic recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability.

METHODS

Sixteen patients (1 female, 15 males; mean age 29 years; range 17 to 37 years) underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with suture anchors for posttraumatic recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. Involvement was on the right side in 11 patients, on the left in five patients, and on the dominant side in 14 patients. The range of motion was assessed with a goniometer and muscle strength manually. Pre- and postoperative evaluations included physical examination, the Rowe scale for shoulder functions, anteroposterior and axillary radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging. The mean follow-up was 32.9 months (range 24 to 55 months).

RESULTS

The mean number of dislocations was eight (range 2 to 18) and the mean time from the first dislocation to surgery was 4.6 years (range 6 months to 18 years). The mean preoperative active forward elevation was 148 degrees , and active external rotation was 45 degrees , which increased postoperatively to 160 degrees and 48 degrees , respectively (p<0.05). According to the Rowe scale, the results were excellent or good in 12 patients (75.0%), fair in three patients (18.8%), and poor in one patient (6.3%). All the patients returned to work in a mean of 3.6 months (range 2 to 6 months). Thirteen patients (81.3%) were satisfied with the operation.

CONCLUSION

Successful results following arthroscopic Bankart repair with suture anchors are related to the restoration of the exact pathologic anatomy. Identification of patients with evident capsular laxity and addition of capsular plication to the procedure to eliminate this laxity may contribute to higher success rates.