Editorial Commentary: Bankart Lesion in an Adolescent Athlete? Not So Fast

With the desire to remain athletically competitive, many adolescent athletes with shoulder instability are turning to early surgical invention. But is surgical repair always necessary and are all Bankart lesions identical? Using 3-dimensional, frequency-selective, fat-suppressed gradient recalled echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, the authors noted that the anterior glenoid rim secondary ossification center peaks at age 16 years in male patients but is only fused in 70% of male patients at age 17 years. Therefore, relying on MRI alone to guide surgical treatment may result in procedures that may otherwise be avoided because normal glenoid development may be mistaken for a bony Bankart lesion. A thorough history and physical examination are still essential in adolescents with shoulder injuries. Relying on MRI alone to guide surgical treatment may result in procedures that may otherwise be avoided.