A bankart lesion is a tear of the labrum on the anterior of the shoulder. The anteroinferior glenohumeral ligament attaches to the labrum and provides a limit to anterior translation of the joint. Failure of the labrum at the point of attachment causes the ligament to lose tension and thusly the ability to control the joint. Once a bankart lesion has occurred frequent dislocations will occur.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of a bankart lesion is repeated anterior dislocations. The patient will experience a sense of loss of stability and a deep aching in the shoulder.

Diagnosis

The clinical exam is very important to determine if the patient has a bankart lesion as the patient will experience a feeling that the arm is about to dislocate. A MRI with contrast agent may also be used. A X-ray, while not good at soft tissue diagnosis, may find the presence of a Hill-Sachs Lesion which is often due to repeated dislocations.

Treatment

Physical therapy can be used to restore strength in the joint, although the patient will still be more prone to dislocations. Surgical placement of anchors to reattach the labrum is recommended for highly active patients who are at risk of dislocation.

Recovery

The recovery period is similar to those who have had a slap tear. A month in a sling is then followed by a month of stretching physical therapy to regain range of motion. Around the two month mark the patient will begin to build strength through physical therapy and by six months is expected to make a full recovery.