The glenoid labrum, labeled glenoid ligament, is damaged in a Bankart lesion. Lateral view demonstrating the articular surface of the right scapula is shown.
Bankart lesions are characterized by recurrent shoulder instability and widespread shoulder discomfort. Some individuals may experience catching, locking, or popping feelings in their shoulders. The majority of Bankart lesion patients have primary or recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.[1]
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually initially made by a combination of physical exam and medical imaging, where the latter may be projectional radiography (in cases of bony Bankart) and/or MRI of the shoulder. The presence of intra-articular contrast allows for better evaluation of the glenoid labrum.[8] Type V SLAP tears extends into the Bankart defect.[9]
Treatment
Arthroscopic repair of Bankart injuries have good success rates, though nearly one-third of patients require further surgery for continued instability after the initial procedure in a study of young adults, with higher re-operation rates in those less than 20 years of age.[10] Options for repair include an arthroscopic technique or a more invasive open Latarjet procedure,[11] with the open technique tending to have a lower incidence of recurrent dislocation, but also a reduced range of motion following surgery.[12]
Gallery
X-ray at left shows anterior dislocation in a young man after trying to get up from his bed. X-ray at right shows same shoulder after reduction and internal rotation, revealing both a bony Bankart lesion and a Hill-Sachs lesion.
Radiograph showing a bony Bankart lesion with stationary fragment at the inferior glenoid
3-D CT reconstruction of a bankart lesion which occurred post anterior shoulder dislocation. This subject's humerus remains mildly superiorly subluxated. Fracture marked by a black arrow.
^Porcellini, Giuseppe; Campi, Fabrizio; Paladini, Paolo (2002). "Arthroscopic approach to acute bony Bankart lesion". Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. 18 (7): 764–769. doi:10.1053/jars.2002.35266. ISSN0749-8063. PMID12209435.