Bankart Repair Surgery
A Bankart lesion is a tear of the labrum — the thick ring of cartilage that lines the shoulder socket (glenoid) and deepens it to help hold the ball of the humerus in place — that occurs at the front-bottom (anteroinferior) portion of the socket when the shoulder dislocates anteriorly. Once the labrum is torn from the glenoid rim, the shoulder loses a critical component of its stabilizing system, and the risk of recurrent dislocation increases significantly with each subsequent episode. In some cases, the labral tear is accompanied by a fracture of the glenoid bone — called a bony Bankart lesion — which further compromises the socket’s ability to contain the humeral head. Bankart repair is an arthroscopic surgical procedure that reattaches the torn labrum to the glenoid rim using suture anchors, restoring the shoulder’s anatomic depth and stability and preventing future dislocations.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, with a traveling shoulder fellowship under Dr. Charles Rockwood and Dr. Richard Hawkins — two of the most influential shoulder surgeons in the field — and fellowship training in arthroscopic surgery at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute/UCLA. Arthroscopic Bankart repair requires precise suture anchor placement along the glenoid rim to restore labral height and capsular tension without overtightening — a technical balance that directly impacts whether the patient regains full range of motion while maintaining stability. As Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, Dr. Glashow performs Bankart repairs on professional athletes who sustain shoulder dislocations during competition — where restoring full stability for return to contact sports is the standard of care. With more than 15,000 procedures performed and recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2000, he performs Bankart repair surgery at his Upper East Side practice in New York City.
People who experience frequent shoulder dislocations may be diagnosed with what is called a “Bankart tear” or a “Bankart lesion,” which severely affects the stability and strength of the shoulder joint and its function.
A Bankart lesion or Bankart tear is one of the most common types of ligament injuries to the shoulder joint. Any time a ligament is torn from the front of the shoulder socket, orthopedic surgical repair is most likely necessary. Individuals experiencing frequent shoulder dislocation injuries may be diagnosed with deficient glenoid bone structure, which surgery may help to correct. The Bankart repair surgery procedure may also help to restore bony anatomy of the shoulder socket.
Common Labral Tears
- SLAP Tears: A Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) tear is most commonly seen in overhead throwing athletes, such as baseball and tennis players.
- Bankart Lesions: A Bankart lesion occurs when a shoulder dislocates. When the shoulder comes out of joint, the labrum is torn, and makes the shoulder more susceptible to future dislocations.
- Posterior Labral Tears: Posterior labral tears are less common, but sometimes seen in athletes in a condition called internal impingement. In this syndrome, the rotator cuff and labrum are pinched together in the back of the shoulder.
Individuals who have not responded adequately to rehabilitation programs following traumatic injury or recurrent instability also significantly benefit from surgical procedures that repair the labral tears.
Symptoms of a Labral Tear
Symptoms of a labral tear depend on where the tear is located, but may include:
- An aching, vague pain in the front or top of the shoulder
- Shoulder instability
- Clicking or catching sensation in the shoulder during certain movements
- Catching or clicking during the “cocked” position of throwing
- Pain with specific overhead activities
Bankart Repair Surgery in New York City
If you are experiencing recurrent shoulder dislocations, a sensation of the shoulder slipping out of place, or have been diagnosed with a Bankart lesion and want to discuss surgical stabilization, Dr. Glashow provides comprehensive evaluation with same-day imaging at his Upper East Side practice. Contact our office to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bankart Repair
What is a Bankart lesion?
A Bankart lesion is a specific type of labral tear that occurs at the front-bottom (anteroinferior) portion of the glenoid — the shoulder socket — when the shoulder dislocates forward. During a dislocation, the humeral head is forced out of the socket and tears the labrum away from the glenoid rim as it exits. This torn labrum no longer functions as an effective bumper to keep the humeral head centered in the socket, which is why patients with Bankart lesions are at significantly higher risk for recurrent dislocations.
What is the difference between a Bankart lesion and a SLAP tear?
Both are labral tears, but they occur in different locations and from different mechanisms. A Bankart lesion tears the labrum at the front-bottom of the socket and is caused by a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation. A SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) involves the top of the labrum where the biceps tendon attaches and is most commonly caused by repetitive overhead throwing or a fall onto an outstretched hand. The distinction matters because the surgical technique, anchor placement, and rehabilitation protocol differ for each type of tear.
How is a Bankart lesion diagnosed?
Dr. Glashow begins with a clinical examination that includes specific instability tests — such as the apprehension test, relocation test, and anterior drawer test — to assess how easily the shoulder can be shifted out of position. X-rays are taken to evaluate the bony anatomy and identify any glenoid bone loss (bony Bankart lesion). An MRI with contrast (MR arthrogram) is typically the most accurate imaging study for visualizing the labral tear and assessing its size and location. Same-day imaging is available at his Upper East Side practice.
Is Bankart repair performed arthroscopically?
Yes — the majority of Bankart repairs are performed arthroscopically through small portals around the shoulder. Dr. Glashow uses suture anchors placed along the glenoid rim to reattach the torn labrum and restore the capsular tension that prevents the shoulder from dislocating. However, in cases involving significant glenoid bone loss — where the socket has lost enough of its bony rim that soft tissue repair alone cannot provide reliable stability — an open bone-grafting procedure such as a Latarjet may be recommended instead. Dr. Glashow evaluates each patient’s CT and MRI imaging to determine which approach will provide the most durable result.
How long does recovery take after Bankart repair?
Patients typically wear a sling for four to six weeks after surgery to protect the repair while the labrum heals to the glenoid rim. Gentle range-of-motion exercises begin within the first few weeks under the guidance of a physical therapist, with progressive strengthening introduced over the following months. Most patients return to daily activities within six to eight weeks and to contact sports or overhead athletics between four and six months after surgery. Dr. Glashow uses functional testing and strength assessment to determine when each patient is ready to return safely.
Can the shoulder dislocate again after Bankart repair?
Arthroscopic Bankart repair has a high success rate, with published recurrence rates of approximately 5 to 15 percent in appropriately selected patients. The risk of re-dislocation is higher in younger patients (under 20), athletes in contact or collision sports, and patients with significant glenoid bone loss that was not addressed during the initial repair. This is why accurate preoperative assessment of bone loss — using CT imaging — is critical for selecting the right procedure and achieving a durable result.
