Results of Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Recreational Athletes and Laborers: A Retrospective Study With 5 to 14 Years of Follow-up

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic Bankart repair is the most common procedure for anterior shoulder instability management. However, the long-term efficacy of the procedure is questionable, and the results are different among different populations. Few studies have focused on specific populations, such as recreational athletes and laborers. HYPOTHESIS: Good to excellent long-term results, with a low recurrence rate, can be achieved using arthroscopic Bankart repair in recreational athletes and laborers suffering from anterior shoulder instability. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A specific group of laborers and recreational athletes were included in this study. A total of 52 patients (52 shoulders) with anterior-inferior traumatic shoulder instability underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair and met our strict criteria for study inclusion. The recurrence rate was recorded. Patients were evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 5 years using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Rowe score, the Constant score, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. A radiological evaluation for arthritis was also performed according to the Samilson-Prieto classification. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 105.4 months (range, 65-164 months). Our overall recurrence rate was 11.5% (6/52 patients). All patients were able to return to their previous job status with minimum limitations, and 76.7% of our study population reported returning to their preinjury sporting activities. Postoperatively, all scores were improved, with statistically significant increases from preoperative values (P < .001). At the last radiographic follow-up, 9 patients (18.8%) had mild arthritis, while 2 patients (4.2%) had moderate arthritis. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic soft tissue Bankart repair may provide good to excellent long-term clinical results with an acceptable recurrence rate in medium-demand patients (recreational athletes and laborers).