Abstract
Background: Arthroscopic Bankart repair is the preferred surgical treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. The development of all-suture anchors aims to reduce invasiveness, preserve bone stock, and facilitate revision options.
Aims: To assess short- and mid-term clinical outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repair using exclusively all-suture anchors, focusing on recurrence of instability, functional recovery, and safety.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 53 patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with all-suture anchors between 2010 and 2024. The primary outcome was recurrent instability (dislocation or subluxation). Secondary outcomes included pain assessed by visual analogue scale, range of motion, functional recovery using the Rowe score, and need for revision surgery. The use of adjunctive procedures (rotator interval closure, remplissage) was documented. Comparative analyses were performed using nonparametric tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The median follow-up was 8 months (range, 4–94 months). Redislocation occurred in 4 patients (7.5%) and subluxation in 2 (3.8%); 3 patients (5.7%) required revision surgery. The median Rowe score improved from 30 preoperatively to 100 at final follow-up (p<0.01), with 88.6% of patients achieving excellent outcomes. Pain scores decreased significantly (median visual analogue scale from 7 to 0; p<0.01). Most patients recovered near-full range of motion, and return to sports was achieved at a median of 24 weeks. No anchor-related complications were observed.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic Bankart repair using all-suture anchors provides excellent functional outcomes, significant pain reduction, and low recurrence rates in short- and mid-term follow-up, confirming this technique as a safe and effective option for anterior shoulder instability.