Long-term results with Bankart procedure: a 26-year follow-up study of 50 cases

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome (>20 years) of patients who underwent an open Bankart procedure, many of them contact athletes, in terms of shoulder stability, return to sport, and the development of osteoarthritis.

We retrospectively reviewed 49 patients (50 shoulders) who underwent an open Bankart procedure for recurrent shoulder instability. There were 36 contact athletes (73%) in this cohort. Mean follow-up was 28 years (25-32). Clinical examination was performed by an independent reviewer, with standard shoulder radiographs obtained.

Eight patients had recurrence of dislocation after a new traumatic episode, in six cases while playing rugby, with two of them requiring re-operation. Forty (82%) patients returned to their previous level of sports activities, including all 31 rugby players. No statistically significant loss of motion occurred in this group, although there was slight loss of flexion (6 degrees ) and external rotation (9 degrees ). The mean Rowe score at final follow-up was 82 (25-97), and all but two patients considered themselves satisfied with the results of the surgery. Thirty-four (69%) patients showed signs of osteoarthritis at follow-up, as follows: Stage 1 -18, Stage 2 - 5, Stage 3 - 5, and Stage 4 - 1.

At long-term follow-up, patients undergoing an open Bankart procedure for recurrent shoulder instability obtained a high percentage of shoulder stability, and reliably returned to high-level sports activities. However, 69% did show radiographic signs of osteoarthritis.