Short-term outcomes after knotless all-suture anchor Bankart repair

Abstract

Arthroscopic Bankart repair techniques have evolved from solid anchors, with potential disadvantages such as glenoid rim fractures, anchor migration, and glenohumeral cartilage damage, to bone stock-preserving “soft” all-suture anchors. The aim of this study was to report on clinical short-term outcomes after arthroscopic knotless all-suture Bankart repair in patients with anterior shoulder instability. It is hypothesized that this technique provides good functional outcomes with low rates of re-dislocation and revision. A total of 39 patients with an average age of 28.8 (SD ± 10.5) years were included. The clinical outcome was evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 12 months in 28 of 39 (72%) patients. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation Score (SANE), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH), the Short Form 12 physical component summary (SF-12 PCS) as well as general patient satisfaction were assessed. Re-dislocation and revision rates were recorded. Postoperatively, one patient (3.6%) re-dislocated his shoulder during a baseball game and required revision surgery with a Latarjet procedure. One patient (3.6%) reported a sensation of instability and 37 of 39 (95%) patients remained stable. At the final follow-up, the mean ASES (p < 0.001), SANE (p < 0.001), QuickDASH (p < 0.001), and SF-12 PCS (p = 0.001) improved significantly over preoperative levels. Median postoperative satisfaction was 10/10 (range 1–10). The arthroscopic treatment of Bankart lesions with a knotless all-suture technique leads to promising clinical short-term results with good function and low rates of re-dislocation and revision. Prospective, randomized, long-term follow-up studies with large patient cohorts are needed in the future.