Get back to movement you can trust. Dr. Angelo Mattalino performs arthroscopic Bankart repair to fix the structural damage behind your shoulder instability, so you can stop bracing for the next dislocation.
Shoulder instability can make everyday movements feel uncertain. You feel discomfort or hesitation when reaching, lifting, exercising or even rolling over in bed, especially if your shoulder has dislocated more than once. You may eventually find yourself avoiding activities you used to do without a second thought.
A shoulder that has dislocated once is significantly more likely to do it again, particularly if the labrum (the cartilage ring that keeps the ball of your shoulder seated in its socket) tore during the initial injury. Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around the joint, but strong muscles are not a substitute for a structural anchor that has pulled away from the bone.
Dr. Angelo Mattalino is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He completed an Elbow and Arthroscopic Surgery & Sports Medicine Shoulder Fellowship and devoted his career to treating injuries in athletes and active patients throughout the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. When he evaluates your shoulder instability, he brings a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience to every decision about your care.
What Structures Make Up the Shoulder Joint?
The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body. This wide range of motion allows you to lift, rotate and extend your arm in multiple directions. However, that flexibility also makes the joint more vulnerable to instability.
The shoulder joint is made up of three main components:
- The humeral head, which is the ball at the top of your upper arm bone
- The glenoid, which is the shallow socket in the shoulder blade where the humeral head sits
- The labrum, a ring of tough fibrous cartilage that stabilizes the joint
A network of ligaments and the rotator cuff muscles surround these structures to provide additional support. When they’re functioning properly, the labrum and ligaments keep the humeral head centered in the socket.
What Causes Shoulder Instability?
Shoulder instability typically develops after trauma, most commonly a dislocation.
When a dislocation forces the humeral head out of the socket, the labrum often tears away from the bone at the front of the glenoid. That specific injury has a name: a Bankart lesion. Once that cartilage ring is compromised, your shoulder has lost one of its primary stabilizing structures.
There are two types of Bankart lesions that can occur. A soft tissue Bankart lesion involves only the cartilage and is the more common scenario. A bony Bankart lesion means a fragment of the glenoid bone broke off along with the labrum, which typically creates more pronounced instability in the joint.
What Does It Feel Like When the Labrum Is Torn?
You might not even realize the labrum is the problem. Many patients describe a general sense that their shoulder is “loose” or unreliable. You might feel a clunk or a sliding sensation during certain movements. Some notice pain with overhead activity, while others experience a deep ache after exercise.
The more dislocations or partial dislocations (subluxations) you experience, the more the surrounding tissue stretches out. Early medical evaluation is important. Waiting too long and accumulating more dislocations doesn’t just hurt and reduce your activity levels; it makes the eventual repair harder.
What Is Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
Arthroscopic Bankart repair is a surgical procedure that reattaches the torn labrum to the glenoid bone and tightens the stretched capsule around the joint. Dr. Mattalino performs this procedure through small incisions using an arthroscope (a tiny camera) and specialized instruments, rather than opening the shoulder with a large incision.
The arthroscope gives Dr. Mattalino a magnified, high-definition view of the interior of the joint. He can see exactly where the labrum has pulled away, assess the condition of the surrounding ligaments and identify any additional damage that might not have shown up on imaging. From there, he uses suture anchors (small devices placed into the bone) to secure the labrum back into its anatomical position.
Because Dr. Mattalino has spent years studying and treating shoulder injuries in overhead athletes, including professional baseball pitchers, he understands the balance between restoring stability and preserving the range of motion your shoulder needs to function well. Overtightening a repair can solve the instability problem while creating a stiffness problem. The ideal outcome of arthroscopic Bankart repair is a shoulder that stays in place and moves the way you need it to.
What Are the Benefits of Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
Less Disruption to Surrounding Tissue
Arthroscopic Bankart repair is performed through small incisions, so the surrounding muscles and soft tissue are largely preserved. This helps maintain normal shoulder function while still allowing for an effective repair.
Targets the Root Cause of Instability
Rather than only strengthening the area around the joint, the arthroscopic Bankart repair procedure focuses on repairing the torn labrum itself. Restoring this key stabilizing structure means the shoulder is better equipped to stay securely in place.
Clear, Detailed Visualization During Surgery
The use of an arthroscopic camera gives Dr. Mattalino a magnified view inside the joint. This level of visibility supports more precise placement of sutures and anchors.
More Comfortable Early Recovery
Because the procedure is less invasive, patients typically experience less postoperative irritation and swelling. This can make the first phase of recovery feel more manageable compared to open approaches.
Quicker Progression Back to Daily Movement
Many patients can begin controlled motion earlier in the recovery process. With proper guidance from a physical therapist, this can support a smoother transition back to everyday tasks and routines.
Preserves Natural Shoulder Function
Since major muscle groups are not detached during the arthroscopic Bankart repair surgery, strength and coordination are easier to rebuild. This is especially important for active individuals.
Minimal Visible Scarring
The smaller incision sites generally heal with subtle scarring. For many patients, this is an added benefit alongside the functional improvements.
Helps Protect the Joint Long Term
By restoring stability and proper alignment, this procedure reduces the likelihood of repeated dislocations and further damage.
Why Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Instead of Other Options?
Not every shoulder instability case is the same, which is why Dr. Mattalino starts with a thorough evaluation before recommending any specific procedure. Arthroscopic Bankart repair is well suited for patients whose primary issue is a soft tissue Bankart lesion without significant bone loss. Here’s how it compares to the other shoulder surgery options.
Open Bankart Repair
An open Bankart repair accomplishes the same goal (reattaching the labrum) but through a larger incision that requires cutting through more muscle and tissue to reach the joint. Dr. Mattalino may recommend this in revision cases or when the tissue quality requires direct access, but the arthroscopic approach is preferred when the anatomy allows it because the recovery is generally easier and the risk of postoperative stiffness tends to be lower.
The Latarjet Procedure
When there is significant bone loss on the glenoid (typically more than 20% of the socket surface), an arthroscopic Bankart repair alone may not provide enough stability. The Latarjet procedure transfers a piece of bone from another part of the shoulder to rebuild the socket. It’s a bigger surgery with a different recovery profile and is reserved for cases where bone augmentation is needed to secure the repair.
Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder replacement is for patients with severe arthritis, complex fractures or long-standing degeneration of the joint surfaces, not for isolated instability. If your shoulder dislocates but your cartilage surfaces are still healthy, replacement is not a consideration.
What to Expect From Arthroscopic Bankart Repair With Dr. Mattalino
Your Evaluation
Your first visit with Dr. Mattalino will include a detailed physical examination of your shoulder along with a review of any imaging you’ve already had done. He may order an MRI or CT scan if one hasn’t been completed, since these studies show the labrum, bone and surrounding soft tissues in detail that X-rays simply can’t provide.
Dr. Mattalino will talk with you about your injury history, your activity level and what you need your shoulder to do. If you play a sport, he wants to know the position you play and the demands it places on your arm. If your concern is more about daily life, he’ll factor that in too.
The Day of Surgery
Arthroscopic Bankart repair is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll go home the same day. You’ll receive general anesthesia, and Dr. Mattalino usually uses a regional nerve block as well to minimize pain in the hours after surgery.
During the procedure, Dr. Mattalino makes two or three small incisions around your shoulder. He inserts the arthroscope first, inspects the joint and then uses the working portals to clean up damaged tissue and prepare the bone surface where the labrum will be reattached. Suture anchors are placed into the glenoid, and the labrum is sutured down securely.
Most procedures take between one and two hours, depending on what Dr. Mattalino finds inside the joint. One of the advantages of working arthroscopically is that the camera reveals things that preoperative imaging sometimes misses, and he can address those findings in real time.
Recovery
Your arm will be in a sling for the first several weeks after surgery. That part is non-negotiable because the repaired labrum needs time to heal against the bone without being pulled away by too much motion too soon.
Phase 1 (weeks one through six): You’ll wear your sling and begin guided range of motion exercises with a physical therapist. The exercises are gentle enough to protect the repair while preventing your shoulder from getting too stiff.
Phase 2 (weeks six through 12): The sling comes off and you’ll start working on more active range of motion. The focus of your physical therapy program shifts to regaining full mobility and introducing light strengthening.
Phase 3 (months three through six): This is where you build back real strength and stability. Therapy progresses to resistance training and sport-specific or activity-specific exercises, depending on your goals.
Most patients return to desk work and light daily activities within a few weeks. Return to full athletics or heavy physical work typically takes four to six months. Dr. Mattalino monitors your progress throughout and adjusts the timeline based on how your shoulder responds.
Am I a Good Candidate for Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
You may be a good candidate if you’ve experienced one or more shoulder dislocations and imaging confirms a Bankart lesion. Patients with recurrent instability, a sensation of the shoulder slipping during activity and pain associated with overhead or rotational movements tend to see the most benefit from this procedure.
Candidates who generally do well with arthroscopic Bankart repair include:
- Active individuals and athletes who need a reliable shoulder for sports
- People whose shoulder instability is interfering with work or daily routines
- Patients who haven’t responded adequately to physical therapy alone
Dr. Mattalino will also consider factors that may influence your outcome, including your age, the number of previous dislocations you’ve had and whether there is any bone loss on the glenoid. If arthroscopic Bankart repair isn’t the right fit for your situation, he’ll explain why and walk you through the alternatives.
What Results Can You Expect From Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
The goal of arthroscopic Bankart repair is a stable shoulder that you can trust again. For the majority of patients, the procedure significantly reduces or eliminates recurrent dislocations and restores confidence in the joint during physical activity.
Your individual outcome will depend on several factors, including the severity of your original injury, your commitment to the rehabilitation protocol and the demands you place on your shoulder. Younger patients and those who participate in contact sports have a somewhat higher recurrence risk overall, which is part of why Dr. Mattalino evaluates each case individually rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Patients in Phoenix and Scottsdale Choose Dr. Mattalino
Your choice of surgeon for shoulder stabilization affects your body for years to come. Dr. Mattalino’s background in sports medicine and his published research on shoulder biomechanics in professional athletes set him apart from surgeons who treat the shoulder as one of many joints in a generalized practice.
He completed two Orthopaedic Fellowships focused on sports medicine and has spent his career working with athletes and active patients who depend on reliable shoulder function. His approach to arthroscopic Bankart repair is individually planned and focused on getting you back to full function without overcorrecting in a way that sacrifices mobility.
His patients also appreciate the way he communicates. He explains what he sees on your imaging and what your options are without rushing through the conversation or defaulting to complex medical jargon. You’ll leave the consultation knowing exactly what’s going on with your shoulder and what the recommended path forward is.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Mattalino
If your shoulder keeps dislocating, feeling loose or limiting your ability to do the things you need to do, an evaluation with Dr. Mattalino is the first step toward fixing it. He’ll give you a clear picture of what’s happening inside your joint and a plan to address it.
Contact the office of Angelo Mattalino, M.D. today to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
How do I know if my shoulder instability needs surgery?
Not every unstable shoulder requires an operation. If your shoulder has dislocated once and you respond well to physical therapy, surgery may not be necessary. But if your shoulder continues to dislocate, subluxate or feel unreliable despite conservative treatment, the structural damage is likely beyond what rehab can address on its own. Dr. Mattalino uses imaging and a physical exam to determine whether the labrum is torn and whether surgery is the best path forward.
Will I lose range of motion after arthroscopic Bankart repair?
Some temporary stiffness during the early recovery phase is normal and expected. With consistent physical therapy, most patients regain their full functional range of motion. Dr. Mattalino specifically plans each repair to restore stability without overtightening the joint, which helps preserve the natural movement your shoulder needs.
Are the suture anchors permanent?
Yes. The suture anchors placed during the procedure stay in your shoulder permanently. They’re made of materials that are well tolerated by the body and do not need to be removed. Over time, the repaired labrum heals to the bone around them, and the anchors themselves typically cause no symptoms.
Can athletes return to competitive sports after this surgery?
Many athletes do return to competitive play after arthroscopic Bankart repair, including those in overhead and contact sports. The timeline varies, but most athletes can begin sport-specific training around four months after surgery and return to full competition between five and seven months, depending on how their rehabilitation progresses and the demands of their sport. Dr. Mattalino’s experience treating professional and competitive athletes informs the way he manages the return-to-sport process.
