Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
Essential to the success of the arthroscopic Bankart repair is protection of the capsule and static stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint. The patient’s level of pain is not an accurate guage of healing and need for progression.
Immediately post operative
The patient will be placed in an immobilizer for four weeks. Patient is allowed to start immediate hand, wrist, and elbow range of motion exercises.
2 days post operative
Patient can remove immobilizer for showering and begin gentle pendulum exercises three times daily. All other activities of daily living will be done in the immobilizer.
4 weeks post operative
The immobilizer will be discontinued. A standard sling will be applied and the timing of physical therapy will be determined based on shoulder range of motion. Physical therapy will then begin with gentle passive shoulder range of motion, avoiding excessive external rotation.
6 weeks post operative
Sling is discontinued, and patient begins supervised physical therapy. Initiate active range of motion. Scapular, upper back, shoulder postural awareness and isometric setting exercises can start.
8 weeks post operative
Active range of motion should approximate normal motion, external rotation will be limited. Progress gentle resistive exercises.
12 weeks post operative
Acceleration of resistive exercises with avoidance of bench and military press.
6 months post operative
Return to contact sports. Initiate sport specific activities for racquet and throwing sports.
8 months post operative
Return to full athletic activities.