In this prospective study, 40 consecutive patients identified as high
risk for recurrent instability were managed by an arthroscopic Bankart
repair using nonabsorbable sutures and anchors. The technique employe
d is an arthroscopic modification of the capsulolabral repair describe
d by Jobe, One-and-one-half to 3 years postoperatively (average 30 mon
ths), 37 of the 40 patients (93%) remained stable. The average Bankart
score was 90. Thirty-seven of the 40 patients returned to normal acti
vities, including sports, by 6 months postoperatively. Twenty-nine of
the 32 patients involved in athletic activities returned to their resp
ective sports at the same or higher level. Three patients had disconti
nued sporting activities due to graduation but felt as though they cou
ld resume their activities at the same level. Three patients developed
recurrent instability, all of whom required surgical restabilization.
Arthroscopic Bankart Repair using suture anchor technique in a high d
emand population provided results superior to those previously reporte
d with the suture punch technique in our patient population. The resul
ts may be equivalent to open reconstruction in this high-risk patient
population.