Has anyone ever heard of someone having to have a bankart repair three times? I dislocated my shoulder ice skating about 40 years ago. Avoided surgery for ten years and lived with many dislocations. Finally had arthroscopic surgery done. It was ok for awhile and then I dislocated again. I had an open bankart done and that lasted about ten years. Had to have it again about 8 years ago. I work out quite a bit at women's adventure boot camp and I'm starting to have stability issues again. It almost dislocated a couple of times now. I'm at my wits end, just thinking I could have to go through that ordeal all over again. I feel I have a good doctor (he was the doctor to the Houston Rocketsin the past) but I'm wondering if I should go back to him. I have an appointment to start the diagnostic process. I'm hoping that maybe I've done some exercises that I should not have done (maybe military presses) and if I modify my workouts that it may tighten back up.

typically, if several bankarts have failed, especially after an open one...the next step most if not all shoulder OS' will suggest is a latarjet stabilization. If multiple surgeries have failed, it's possible there is a bony deficiency at the front of the shoulder. This was my case after multiple dislocations and was forced to go with an open bone-block/graft procedure where the coracoid is cut and with the biceps/coracobrachialis tendons still attached, is screwed into the anterior glenoid, so the bone will stop it from dislocating along with the tendons. It is quite an invasive surgery, of course their are always risks (which unfortunately I've had to deal with) but the success rates of it are quite good. Be sure it is a surgeon who does this surgery a lot and is very familiar with it and possible complications. I imagine after 3 failed bankarts tho, they won't be suggesting that one again...I would be surprised if they did.

As well, it never hurts to get a few opinions, especially, if you've had multiple surgeries.