Arthroscopic Bankart repair using suture anchors in athletes: patient selection and postoperative sports activity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results in selected high-risk patients who underwent arthroscopic stabilization of shoulders with recurrent anterior instability. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic stabilization using suture anchors is useful for athletes younger than 25 years or for contact athletes without a large bone loss of glenohumeral articulation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: The study group comprised 55 patients, with a mean follow-up of 42 months (range, 25-72 months). Thirty-two patients had recurrent dislocations, 14 had recurrent subluxations, and 9 had recurrent subluxations after a single dislocation. Rowe score, range of motion, recurrence, and sports activities were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean Rowe score improved from 30.1 to 92.3 points; 45 scores (82%) were excellent, 5 (9%) good, 1 fair (2%), and 4 (7%) poor. Patients had lost a mean of 4 degrees of external rotation in adduction. Four (7%) had recurrence. The recurrence rate in contact athletes (9.5%, 2 of 21) was not statistically different from that in noncontact athletes (6%, 2 of 34). Forty-four (80%) returned at the same levels. The complete return rate in overhead-throwing athletes (68%, 17 of 25) was lower than that in nonoverhead athletes (90%, 27 of 30) (P = .0423). Five patients had unsatisfactory results. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic stabilization is a reliable procedure in selected high-risk patients.