Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability Using Bioabsorbable Suture Anchors

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to present the technique and clinical outcome of arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder using bioab-sorbable suture anchors at a minimum of six months follow- up.Subjects and Methods: We followed-up 32 shoulders from 31 symptomatic patients with recurrent traumatic anterior shoulder instability without severe glenoid bone defect who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with Pushlock® knotless suture anchors (Arthrex, Naples, FL) for a minimum of 6 months. No additional capsular plication, thermal modification, or interval closure was performed in any patient. One patient had a bilateral traumatic anterior dislocation. Twenty cases involved the dominant side. Before surgery and at the follow- up examinations, physical findings and functional scores were recorded and were analyzed. Following surgery, a six-month rehabilitation regimen was implemented.Results: One patient was lost during the follow-up. We were left with 27 males and 3 females, with a median age of 23 years (range; 16-43 years). The 31 shoulders were followed- up for a median of 13 months (range; 6-21 months). Clinical score, evaluated by the modified Rowe score advanced from 31.5 points (range, 25-45 points) preoperatively to 90.2 points (range, 35-100 points). According to the Rowe scale, 23 (74.2%) of the results were excellent, 5 (16.1%) good, 1 (3.2%) fair and 2 (6.5%) poor; i.e. a success rate of 90.3%. Twenty-five shoulders (80.6%) regained full range of motion, 4 (12.9%) had an external rotation loss of 5° or less at 90° of abduction and 2 (6.5%) had a 10° loss of external rotation at 90° of abduction. All patients regained full range of motion in all other planes.Conclusion: The clinical results of arthroscopic Bankart repair with bioabsorbable knotless suture anchors are favorable, with a low recurrence rate, minimal loss of motion and reliable functional return to preinjury levels; even in contact and collision athletes.