Unbiased evaluation of the arthroscopic extra-articular technique for Bankart repair: a clinical and radiographic study with a 2-to 5-year follow-up

This study performed an unbiased reexamination of patients who at least 2 y ears previously had undergone an arthroscopic extra-articular Bankart repai r and prospectively evaluated the development of degenerative changes in th e shoulder. Two unbiased observers who had never seen the patients before a nd had in no way been involved in the treatment of the patients were given unlimited access to the patients' files, surgical reports, and radiographs. Of the 80 patients 72 (90%) attended the follow-up 42.5 months (24-66) aft er the index procedure. Failures in terms of stability (redislocations and subluxations) were recorded in 14% of the patients. The Rowe score was 97 p oints (51-100); the Constant score was 94 (56-100) in injured shoulders and 97 points (80-100) in noninjured shoulders (P=0.002). A return to the prei njury level of activity was recorded in 73% of the patients. There was a si gnificant increase in degenerative changes between the pre- and postoperati ve radiographic assessments (P<0.0001). At 2- to 5-year followup therefore the extra-articular arthroscopic Bankart repair resulted in stable and well -functioning shoulders in a high percentage of patients. However, the signs of radiographic degenerative changes increased between the preoperative as sessments and the 2- to 5-year follow-up.