🔧 What Is a Bankart Lesion and Why Might You Need Surgery?

A Bankart lesion is a tear of the lower front part (anterior-inferior) of the labrum in the shoulder, often resulting from a dislocation. When this area doesn’t heal properly, the shoulder may feel unstable and prone to repeated dislocations. Surgery aims to reattach and stabilise the labrum, restoring normal shoulder function and reducing the risk of future instability.

What Is a Bony Bankart Lesion?

In some cases, a shoulder dislocation doesn’t just tear the labrum – it also fractures a small piece of bone off the front of the glenoid (shoulder socket). This is called a Bony Bankart lesion.

This version of the injury is more serious than a soft tissue tear alone because it involves structural damage to the bone, which:

• Increases the risk of recurrent dislocations
• May complicate surgery, especially if the bone fragment is large or resorbed
• Sometimes requires additional techniques or even bone grafting during repair

Your surgeon may consider a different surgical approach, such as a Latarjet procedure, if there’s significant bone loss.

A Bankart lesion is a tear of the anterior-inferior labrum of the shoulder, often resulting from a dislocation. When this area doesn’t heal properly, the shoulder may feel unstable and prone to repeated dislocations. Surgery aims to reattach and stabilise the labrum, restoring normal shoulder function and reducing the risk of future instability.

📊 Is Bankart Repair Always Necessary?

Not always. Many first-time dislocations, particularly in non-athletes, can be managed conservatively with physiotherapy. However, in younger patients, athletes, or those with recurrent dislocations, Bankart repair is often recommended to prevent long-term instability and joint damage.

🧰 Bankart Repair vs Latarjet Procedure: What’s the Difference?

• Bankart Repair: Soft tissue procedure reattaching the torn labrum to the glenoid.
• Latarjet: Involves transferring a piece of bone to the front of the shoulder to prevent dislocation, typically for cases with significant bone loss or failed previous stabilisation.

📆 How to Prepare for Bankart Repair Surgery

• Organise time off work (typically 6 weeks for desk duties, longer for manual jobs)
• Prepare your home setup (one-handed tasks, meals, clothing)
• Understand your rehab timeline and commit to physiotherapy
• Stop certain medications (e.g. blood thinners) as advised
• Ask your surgeon key questions about the procedure, risks, and long-term expectations

💡 Will My Shoulder Be Normal Again After Bankart Surgery?

Most patients regain excellent function and return to sport or physically demanding work. However, it depends on the quality of the repair, adherence to rehab, and individual tissue healing. Some residual apprehension or stiffness may persist in a small percentage.

📅 What to Expect Immediately After Surgery

• Arm immobilised in a sling for ~4 weeks
• Pain and swelling common in the first few days
• Sleeping can be uncomfortable – use pillows to prop yourself up
• Driving is not recommended until you have sufficient control (typically 6 weeks)

📉 Rehabilitation Timeline: A Week-by-Week Guide

Week 0–4: Sling use full-time except for hygiene and exercises. Focus on gentle passive movement under guidance.

Week 4–8: Begin active range of motion, gradually reducing sling use. Physiotherapy intensifies.

Week 8–12: Regain strength and control through progressive loading.

Week 12+: Return to most daily activities. Contact sports or overhead lifting may be delayed 4–6 months depending on your sport or job.

🏃️‍♂️ Returning to Work or Sport

• Office/desk job: Usually within 2–6 weeks, depending on pain and mobility
• Manual labour: Around 12–16 weeks
• Overhead/contact sport: Usually 4–6 months, guided by functional testing

⚠️ Common Restrictions After Bankart Repair

• No active external rotation or abduction beyond neutral in the first few weeks
• Avoid lifting or carrying loads with the surgical arm
• No driving while in the sling
• No contact sports or gym until cleared by your surgeon or physio

🏋️️ Sleeping After Shoulder Stabilisation Surgery

• Sleep propped up in a reclined position
• Place a pillow under the arm to support the shoulder
• Consider a wedge pillow or sleeping in a recliner chair in the early stages

🚨 What Can Go Wrong After Bankart Repair?

• Recurrent dislocation: Lower than non-operative management but still possible
• Stiffness: Can occur without proper rehab
• Nerve irritation: Rare, usually temporary
• Surgical failure: May require revision (especially in high-demand athletes)

🚫 Signs Your Bankart Repair May Have Failed

• Recurrent instability or a sense of the shoulder “slipping out”
• Persistent pain despite progressing rehab
• Loss of range of motion beyond expected stiffness
• Popping, catching, or mechanical symptoms

Seek medical advice if you notice any of the above.

📌 Understanding Shoulder Instability: Why Bankart Repair Isn’t Always the End

Even after surgery, some patients may continue to experience minor symptoms related to shoulder control or apprehension. Rehabilitation should also focus on proprioception, scapular control, and neuromuscular training to support the repair long-term.

📄 Physiotherapy After Bankart Repair: Why It Matters

• Guides staged return of movement and strength
• Reduces risk of complications like stiffness or re-injury
• Addresses faulty movement patterns or muscle imbalances
• Builds confidence in returning to full activity
• Provides sport-specific or job-specific conditioning

💪 Can I Return to Overhead or Contact Sports After Bankart Repair?

Yes, many do. However, return to sport should be guided by:

• Surgical integrity and healing
• Sport-specific strength and control testing
• Time-based healing milestones (often 4–6+ months)

Climbers, throwers, and contact athletes may need additional rehab and time before full return.

🛄 Can I Drive After Bankart Repair?

You should avoid driving:

• While in the sling
• If pain restricts safe handling of the wheel
• If reaction times are compromised

Most return around 4–6 weeks, but only when it’s safe and legally permissible.

🏫 Bankart Repair in Young Athletes: What Parents Should Know

• Adolescents are prone to recurrence if not treated properly
• Early repair is often recommended for contact or overhead athletes
• Adherence to rehab is critical to avoid failure
• Return to school sport is typically around 4–6 months post-op

✉️ Need Help Navigating Your Recovery?

At Melbourne Shoulder Rehab, we offer tailored post-operative rehabilitation for Bankart repairs. If you’re preparing for surgery or recovering from one, we can guide you every step of the way.

Book a consultation with Melbourne Shoulder Rehab today and take the first step toward a confident, stable shoulder.