A modified Bankart procedure for recurrent anterior/inferior shoulder instability. A preliminary report

A modified Bankart procedure has been developed using a single interosseous extraarticular suture to correct the Bankart lesion and a longitudinal capsular incision to prevent capsular shortening and allow for performance of an anterior capsular shift. Its purpose is to allow full functional return in the active athletic population while controlling anterior/inferior instability. Followup of the first 30 patients on whom we used the procedure shows excellent postoperative range of motion (average loss: 2 degrees of flexion, 1 degree of abduction, 4 degrees of external rotation in adduction, and 7 degrees of external rotation in abduction) and return to sports (90%, of which 70% returned to their previous level). There is, however, an unacceptably high recurrence rate of 13%, all of which occurred early in the series. Technical refinement and experience have apparently reduced the recurrence rate without sacrifice of range of motion or functional ability.