Criteria-based return-to-sport testing is associated with lower recurrence rates following arthroscopic Bankart repair

This study aimed to analyze the impact of a criteria-based return-to-sport (CBRTS) testing protocol on recurrent instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair. We hypothesized that patients who underwent an objective CBRTS testing protocol to guide their clearance to return to sports would have less recurrent instability than those who did not undergo testing.

Thirty-six consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair from 2016 to 2018, had a minimum of 1 year of follow-up, and completed functional and strength testing to evaluate readiness to return to sports were included in this retrospective case-control study. Patients with critical glenoid bone loss > 13.5%, multidirectional instability, and off-track Hill-Sachs lesions necessitating a remplissage or bone augmentation procedure were excluded from the study. Recurrence was defined as dislocation or subluxation symptoms requiring revision surgery. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and the independent t test.

There was no difference between the study and control groups regarding age (P = .15), sex (P = .11), hand dominance (P = .56), or participation in contact sports (P = .78). Patients who underwent the CBRTS testing protocol had a reduced rate of recurrent shoulder instability (5% vs. 22%; odds ratio, 4.85; P < .001). There was no difference in the time from surgery to recurrence between the groups (12 months vs. 13.6 months, P = .43).

Athletes who underwent an objective CBRTS testing protocol to guide their clearance to return to sports had a lower rate of recurrent instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair than those cleared to return based on the time from surgery. Athletes who did not undergo CBRTS testing after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization had a 4.85 times increased likelihood of recurrent instability development after return to sports.