Overview
The shoulder Bankart procedure (also called the Broca-Perthes-Bankart procedure) is an orthopedic surgical repair procedure often done on those who experience recurring shoulder joint dislocation. Bone structure within the shoulder joint, called the glenohumeral joint, provides the shoulder with over half of its ability to rotate.

Damage to the glenohumeral joint affects the ability of the bones in the shoulder joint to slide, glide or roll action for range of motion movement, which limits range of motion and mobility of the shoulder. The glenoid is the slight dip found in the shallow socket of the shoulder blade, in which the head of the humerus, or upper arm bone, rests.

Another major component of the shoulder joint is the labrum. The labrum is wedge-shaped connective tissues that surrounds the rim of the shallow dip in the glenoid, which helps attach and secure the humerus into the joint. In other words, the labrum offers a deep cup shaped socket that the ball or head of the humorous, the upper arm bone, fits into, ensuring stability of the joint.

When the labrum has torn or is somehow weakened, the ball of the humerus is more easily separated from the socket, such as occurs with dislocations. The main cause of such weakness is often a Bankart tear or lesion, which severely affects the stability and strength of the shoulder joint and its range of motion.

Who Benefits from Bankart Shoulder Repair Surgery?
A Bankart tear is one of the most common ligament injuries to the shoulder joint. If such a ligament is torn, surgical repair may be necessary. Those who experience frequent shoulder dislocation are often diagnosed with deficient glenoid bone structure. The Bankart procedure helps restore bony anatomy of the shoulder socket.

Shoulder Bankart Procedure Details
The Bankart shoulder procedure is performed through arthroscopic surgery, using a special tool called an arthroscope. The arthroscope is a surgical tool composed of a thin and flexible fiber optic scope. This tool enables the surgeon to insert the tip of the scope into a joint space through a very small incision for minimally invasive surgery.

The diameter of the arthroscope is approximate to the diameter of a drinking straw. One end of the arthroscope contains a miniature camera, along with tiny precision tools and a light source. The light and the camera offers easy viewing of the joint space without requiring large incisions or tissue damage to the shoulder joint.

The arthroscope is inserted into the shoulder joint through the back of the shoulder. After the surgeon is able to view the field of surgery (on a monitor or screen in the operating theatre), special instruments are inserted through small incisions called portals in the front of the shoulder.

The internal light source provided by the arthroscope illuminates the surgical field, and the tear or lesion in the shoulder socket can then be viewed. The surgeon cleans the edges of the torn labrum and repairs it, once again providing a secure and stable attachment for the head of the humerus or upper arm bone.

The tear is repaired with surgical sutures. In some cases, an anchor of some sort may be inserted into the glenoid socket to help reattach the labrum to the glenoid. Depending on the exact location and severity of the tear, multiple sutures or anchors may be needed to provide adequate stability and to repair tears.

How Much Does Bankart Shoulder Surgery Repair Cost?
Hospital fees, surgeon fees, determine the cost of Bankart shoulder surgery and special needs and goals of patience located in different geographical regions. Costs are also determined by whether the Bankart surgical procedure is considered open or closed, is an inpatient or outpatient procedure, and type of equipment used.

Individuals traveling to foreign destinations such as India, South America or Croatia may enjoy large savings on such procedures.

Who Performs Bankart Shoulder Surgery?
An accredited or certified shoulder or elbow surgeon, or surgeons who specialize in shoulder instability techniques, procedures and surgeries, do Bankart shoulder surgery. They should belong to state or regional orthopedic societies, professional groups, county medical societies, or university schools of medicine. Bankart surgery is a technically proficient procedure, and an experienced surgeon is required for optimal results and restoration of shoulder function.