Question 1

What exactly is a Bankart lesion?

Accepted Answer

A Bankart lesion is a tear of the labrum (cartilage rim around the shoulder socket) at the front-bottom part of the glenoid bone. The labrum acts like a bumper that deepens the socket and stabilizes the shoulder joint. When the shoulder dislocates forward (most common direction - 95% of dislocations), the humeral head (ball) tears the labrum away from the glenoid (socket). This happens in 85-90% of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations. Once torn, the labrum usually doesn't heal back on its own, leaving the shoulder unstable and prone to repeat dislocations. A 'bony Bankart' means the glenoid rim fractured along with the labral tear.

Question 2

Will my shoulder keep dislocating after a Bankart lesion?

Accepted Answer

Risk of recurrent dislocation depends critically on your age at first dislocation. Under age 20: 80-90% will have repeat dislocations without surgery. Ages 20-30: 50-60% recurrence. Ages 30-40: 30-40% recurrence. Over age 40: only 10-20% recurrence. This is why young patients (especially under 25) playing contact sports are often offered early surgery after first dislocation - to prevent the cascade of recurrent dislocations, progressive bone loss, and worsening prognosis. Each subsequent dislocation causes more bone loss and makes future surgery less successful.

Question 3

Can a Bankart lesion heal without surgery?

Accepted Answer

The labral tear itself does NOT heal back to bone without surgery - the labrum has poor blood supply and remains detached. However, scar tissue can form that provides some stability. Non-surgical treatment (sling, then physiotherapy) may work for: older patients (over 40) with low activity demands, first-time dislocation in non-athletes, patients unable/unwilling to undergo surgery. Success is defined as no recurrent dislocations and acceptable function - but the anatomic tear persists. For young, active people (especially contact sports), non-surgical treatment has high failure rates (50-90% re-dislocate) and surgery is usually recommended.

Question 4

What is the success rate of arthroscopic Bankart repair?

Accepted Answer

Success rates depend on patient selection. Ideal candidates (young, first-time or few dislocations, minimal glenoid bone loss under 15-20%, no ligamentous laxity): 85-95% success, 5-10% re-dislocation rate. Higher risk patients (glenoid bone loss over 20%, more than 3-4 previous dislocations, contact athletes, ligamentous laxity): 60-75% success, 20-30% re-dislocation rate - these patients often better served by Latarjet procedure. Overall, arthroscopic Bankart repair is highly successful in appropriately selected patients, with modern techniques achieving results equivalent to open repair.

Question 5

How do I know if I need a Latarjet procedure instead of arthroscopic Bankart repair?

Accepted Answer

Latarjet is considered when: 1) Glenoid bone loss exceeds 15-20% (measured on CT scan) - significant bone loss causes high failure rates with arthroscopic repair alone, 2) Failed previous arthroscopic Bankart repair, 3) High-level contact athlete with recurrent instability (rugby, AFL, MMA), 4) Combination of moderate bone loss plus risk factors (contact sports, ligamentous laxity, multiple previous dislocations). Your surgeon will assess bone loss on CT scan and discuss risk factors. Latarjet has lower re-dislocation rates (under 5%) but is more invasive with more external rotation loss.

Medical Disclaimer

Bankart Lesion (Shoulder Labrum Tear)

📖What is Bankart Lesion (Shoulder Labrum Tear)?

🔬What Causes It?

⚠️Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk if:

🛡️Prevention