Does Anchor Placement on the Glenoid Affect Functional Outcome After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?

In arthroscopic Bankart repair, anchor positions can affect glenoid labral height and functional outcomes.

To evaluate anchor placement on the glenoid during Bankart lesion repair and determine which placement would lead to better functional outcomes.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

This study included 90 patients (74 males, 16 females; average age, 23.7 years; range, 18-47 years) who underwent surgery for Bankart lesions between December 2009 and March 2014. The mean follow-up duration was 32.7 months (range, 26-48 months). We divided anchor positions into 2 groups: on the glenoid face and at the glenoid edge. The anchor position on the glenoid and the labral height were examined with computed tomography (CT) arthrography at 4.5-month follow-up, and Rowe scores were calculated at 2-year follow-up.

The group with the anchor placed on the glenoid face contained 63 patients, and the group with the anchor placed at the glenoid edge or rim contained 27 patients. Mean labral heights at 4.5 months postoperatively in the 2 groups were 5.4 ± 0.22 mm and 3.2 ± 0.16 mm, respectively ( P < .01), and mean Rowe scores at 2 years were 94.7 and 79.5, respectively ( P < .01). Rowe scores calculated at 2-year follow-up were significantly related to anchor position ( P < .01).

Anchors positioned on the glenoid face resulted in the greatest restored labral height and better functional outcome (Rowe score). Thus, anchor placement on the glenoid face should be considered, as it may yield better functional outcome in arthroscopic Bankart repair.