Bankart Repair & Capsular Shift: Shoulder Instability Surgery Explained

Bankart Repair and Capsular Shift are two surgical procedures often used to address certain types of shoulder instability, particularly resulting from shoulder dislocations. Let's break down each one:

Bankart Repair: This procedure is commonly performed to repair a Bankart lesion, which is a specific type of injury to the labrum of the shoulder joint. The labrum is a cuff of cartilage that forms a cup for the end of the arm bone (humerus) to move within. A Bankart lesion occurs when the labrum tears off the front of the socket, usually as a result of a shoulder dislocation. During the Bankart repair, the surgeon reattaches the torn labrum to the socket. This can be done arthroscopically (using a camera and small instruments) or through an open surgical procedure, depending on the severity and nature of the lesion.

Capsular Shift: In some cases of, especially when there's excessive looseness or laxity in the shoulder joint, a Capsular Shift may be necessary. This procedure is used to tighten the shoulder joint's capsule, which is the group of ligaments and connective tissue that encases and stabilizes the joint.

In a Capsular Shift:

The surgeon makes an incision to access the shoulder capsule.
The capsule is then tightened by overlapping the tissues and securing them in a new position. This effectively reduces the volume of the joint capsule, making the shoulder less prone to dislocating.
The procedure may be done alone or in conjunction with other repairs, like a Bankart repair, especially if there's a labral tear along with general laxity of the capsule.
Both Bankart Repair and Capsular Shift are typically performed under general anesthesia. The choice between these procedures, or the decision to combine them, depends on the specific pathology and instability pattern of the shoulder.

Post-operative recovery often involves wearing a sling for several weeks, followed by physical therapy to regain range of motion, strength, and functionality in the shoulder. The exact recovery timeline and protocol can vary based on the individual and the extent of the surgery.