Use of Mitek anchoring for Bankart repair: A comparative, randomized, prospective study with traditional bone sutures

The most common type of shoulder instability is posttraumatic anterior instability. Treatment is surgical. Of the several procedures used, the standard one is Bankart repair. However, this procedure is technically demanding. To simplify it a suture anchor such as Mitek anchors may be used. A prospective randomized study was conducted to compare Mitek anchors with bone sutures. The results showed that Mitek anchors shorten surgical time by making reattachment of the capsule easier. Shoulder muscle strength, range of motion, and frequency of recurrence were equally good in the anchor group and bone suture group. A roentgenographic method allowed exact measurement of placement of the anchors. This method showed at 2-year follow-up evaluation that the anchors were still in the anterior glenoid. No metal-related complications are found at the 2-year follow-up evaluation.