Arthroscopic Bankart repair in a high demand patient population

In this prospective study, 40 consecutive patients identified as high risk for recurrent instability were managed by an arthroscopic Bankart repair using nonabsorbable sutures and anchors. The technique employed is an arthroscopic modification of the capsulolabral repair described by Jobe. One-and-one-half to 3 years postoperatively (average 30 months), 37 of the 40 patients (93%) remained stable. The average Bankart score was 90. Thirty-seven of the 40 patients returned to normal activities, including sports, by 6 months postoperatively. Twenty-nine of the 32 patients involved in athletic activities returned to their respective sports at the same or higher level. Three patients had discontinued sporting activities due to graduation but felt as though they could resume their activities at the same level. Three patients developed recurrent instability, all of whom required surgical restabilization. Arthroscopic Bankart Repair using suture anchor technique in a high demand population provided results superior to those previously reported with the suture punch technique in our patient population. The results may be equivalent to open reconstruction in this high-risk patient population.