The shoulder is one of the most complicated parts of the human body. This means that there are many moving pieces which can become damaged and several opportunities for injuries to occur. Fortunately, advancements in medicine allow us to treat injuries such as a bankart tear using various methods, either non-surgical or minimally-invasive. At Angelo Mattalino, MD in Phoenix, AZ, we want to help you recover so that you can get back to doing what you love. We will answer some frequently asked questions about arthroscopic bankart repair.
Arthroscopic Bankart Repair: FAQs
Questions are common before any procedure. Let’s dive into the answers to just some of the frequently asked questions about arthroscopic bankart repair.
How are Bankart Tears Diagnosed?
We will go over a complete and thorough medical history with you and also conduct a physical examination. If results are inconclusive, you may have x-rays or other diagnostic imagery testing to confirm a bankart tear.
What is Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
Arthroscopic bankart repair is a minimally-invasive procedure that repairs bankart lesions through the use of an arthroscope, or a small video camera. These injuries come about from labrum tears, causing instability, pain and recurrent dislocations of the shoulder joint. The labrum is the firm ring of cartilage around the shoulder socket. This injury can occur from overuse or falling on an outstretched hand.
This procedure only takes place after conservative treatment methods have failed. Usually, you will be asked to rest the injured shoulder and immobilize it in a sling followed up with physical therapy.
The procedure does not involve detaching and reattaching the subscapularis, or overlying shoulder muscle, as is required by the open technique. After the procedure, patients feel little to no discomfort or inflammation from the injury site and have the same or better range of motion than before the injury occurred.
Am I a Good Candidate?
You are a good candidate for arthroscopic bankart repair if you are in good general health. If you have an active infection, let our doctor know. Certain antibiotics may interact with postoperative medications. A good candidate has also tried conservative treatment methods with no success.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation
If you have tried conservative treatment methods for a bankart tear and found them to be ineffective, arthroscopic bankart repair may benefit you. Talk to the friendly professionals at Angelo Mattalino, MD in Phoenix, AZ to get started. Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation.