Everything You Need To Know About Bankart Surgery

What is a shoulder dislocation?

In the simplest definition, a shoulder dislocation is an injury to the shoulder. The shoulder is made up of three bones – the collarbone, the shoulder blade, and the upper arm bone, the top of which is round like a ball. The round ball at the top of the upper arm is also known as the humerus and it fits into a cup-like socket in the shoulder blade. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball pops out of the socket. The ball can either be partially or completely be out of the pocket. A partial shoulder dislocation means only a part of the upper bone is out of the socket. Whereas, a complete shoulder dislocation means the ball is completely out of the socket.

Shoulder Dislocation Causes and Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Diagnosis by doctor

An experienced orthopedic doctor can tell my just physical examination if a shoulder is dislocated or not. Additionally, to confirm, the doctor may ask some general questions like:

• How did you injure your shoulder?
• How long has been the pain in the shoulder there?
• Did you ever experience such pain in the shoulder before?
• What are the first symptoms that you experienced?
• Did you fall from height? Did you meet with any accident?

Once the doctor gets clear answers to these queries and understands the cause of your symptoms, the doctor can chart your treatment course better.

Diagnostic Tests

The doctor may ask you to undergo some imaging tests like an x-ray or an MRI to get an idea of the extent of the injury. The imaging tests will not just show the extent of the injury but also if there are any broken bones. During a consultation, the orthopedic specialist may also check if you can move the shoulder in different directions, or feel any pain or numbness as you move the arm.

Shoulder Replacement Grades

Grade 1

Involves spraining of the joint with no damage to the ligaments connecting the shoulder blade and the collar bone

Grade 2

A partial dislocation of the shoulder joint in which there may be some displacement that may not be obvious during a physical examination

Grade 3

Complete dislocation of the joint. The grade includes rupture of the acromioclavicular (a joint at the top of the shoulder) and coracoclavicular ligaments.

Risks & Complications

If Left Untreated

A shoulder dislocation mostly occurs while doing activities that involve forceful throwing, heavy lifting, or falling onto the widely opened arm or onto the shoulder. Irrespective of the reason, a dislocated shoulder can cause excruciating pain and lead to restricted joint motion.

If you experience painful symptoms at or around your shoulder joint, you should consult an orthopedic surgeon the earliest who can render the necessary treatment to fix the condition. Failure to get timely treatment can result in extensive damage to the shoulder.

Leaving shoulder dislocation untreated may result in:

• Nerve and vessel damage – An untreated dislocated shoulder can cause damage to the axillary artery and is more common in people older than 60 years of age.
• Interference with regular day-to-day activities – If the shoulder dislocation is not promptly treated, it can cause muscle weakness, pain, and muscle spasms, and probably hurt the shoulder more with every passing day.
• Tendinitis – An inflammation or irritation of a tendon.
• Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa (a small fluid-filled sac that helps in friction between bones and aids free movement of the bursa)
• Pain in neck and upper back – An untreated dislocated shoulder joint can cause pain in associated nerves of the neck and upper back.
• Multidirectional instability – Leaving a dislocated shoulder untreated can cause instability in moving the arms in different directions.

During Surgery

Though arthroscopic bankart repair operation is very safe, in rare cases, it may be associated with complications such as:

• Nerve injury
• Poor suture attachment
• Wound infection
• Rupture of repair
• Shoulder stiffness
• Recurrence of the injury
• Tear of the rotator cuff
• Long-term complications due to low-quality anchors

Bankart surgery may also include risk associated with anesthesia. To minimize these risks, an experienced ortho specialist is likely to use special surgical techniques. The good side of these, however, is that all of these can be effectively managed if they are promptly identified and corrected. Wound infection may require a wash and antibiotic treatment. A nerve injury may require repair. Stiffness in the joint may require additional surgery. If the instability of the joint persists, the doctor may consider additional surgery.

Risk Factors

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball of the shoulder pops out of the socket. The condition is usually painful and requires immediate medical assistance to place the ball back in its place.

A shoulder may get dislocated due to a traumatic event, some accident, or when the surrounding ligaments of the shoulder get stretched out too much.

Questions to ask your doctor

• How severe is my shoulder dislocation?
• What is the best line of treatment to fix my dislocated shoulder?
• Is surgery important for shoulder dislocation?
• Can my shoulder get dislocated even after bankart surgery?
• Are there any other techniques to fix my damaged shoulder?
• What is the recovery period after bankart surgery?
• How soon after bankart surgery can I get back to normal work routine?
• Will the condition get worse if I don’t undergo surgery?
• Will I experience pain in my shoulder after surgery?
• What kind of medical evaluations and tests will I have to take before the surgery?

Treatment options & cost

Types of Surgery

There are different surgical options for shoulder dislocation repair. The orthopedic doctor generally suggests the best surgical treatment depending on the severity and location of the injury within the shoulder.

1. Bankart Repair Surgery – A bankart repair is a surgical technique to repair recurrent shoulder joint dislocations. During the procedure, the worn-out ligaments are re-attached to the proper place in the shoulder joint, using the objective of rebuilding normal function.
2. Capsular Shift Surgery – As the name suggests, this is a surgical procedure to tighten the joint capsule. The arthroscopic doctor in this technique uses an arthroscope to tighten the capsule and the ligaments in order to stabilize the shoulder.

Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery – Total shoulder replacement surgery is also known as shoulder arthroplasty. The procedure removes the damaged parts of the shoulder joint and replaces them with artificial implants.

Cost of the Surgery

Bankart Repair Surgery – The cost of Bankart Repair Surgery in India ranges from INR 60,000 to INR 80,000.

Capsular Shift Surgery – The cost of Capsular Shift Surgery in India may cost anywhere between INR 65,000 to INR 95,000.

Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery – The cost of Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery ranges from INR 85,000 to INR 1,50,000 in India.

During the Surgery

Bankart shoulder repair surgery starts with the orthopedic doctor making small incisions around the shoulder region. The orthopedic doctor inserts a tiny camera to view the insides of the joint. Using small instruments, the doctor attaches the labrum to the glenoid bone. The orthopedic surgeon inserts small anchors into the bone and stitches to put the labrum in place. An arthroscopic bankart repair surgery involves the repair of the torn ligament via sutures called anchors. The procedure provides significant improvement in shoulder function with a low recurrence rate and increased shoulder stability.

Prepare for Surgery

To prepare you for a bankart surgery, the orthopedic doctor needs to be well informed about your health conditions, including the medicines, if you are taking any.

• The doctor will prepare you for the surgery by doing some imaging tests like x-rays, evaluating your medical history.
• The orthopedic surgeon will perform a physical examination and confirm if you are fit to undergo the surgery.
• The doctor will suggest some exercise programs prior to the surgery and also recommend a rehabilitation process after the surgery. This is to ensure the best postoperative care beforehand.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes on the day of your bankart surgery. Keep accessories and pieces of jewelry of any kind at home, if you wear any.
• Know about the insurance coverage for the surgery. Talk to the medical coordinator of the hospital where you will undergo the surgery.
• Get someone to drive you to the hospital and on your way back home after the surgery. At Pristyn Care, this hassle is cut down since we provide a free cab facility to pick you up and drop off after the surgery.
• Do not eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before the surgery unless the doctor says otherwise.
• The surgeon or anesthesia provider may prescribe some medicines that you need to take before the surgery. Follow the prescriptions diligently.

Recovery After Surgery

• Recovery after the bankart surgery is not complicated. But you need to follow the advice of the doctor without fail to ensure a smooth recovery.
• You may require to stay at the hospital for a day after the surgery. During the stay, the doctor will monitor your recovery process.
• The doctor may administer pain medications and antibiotics to alleviate the pain and prevent any infection at the surgical site.
• Physiotherapy is recommended at least a week after the surgery. The doctor will guide you with the exercises and home care. If needed, the doctor may also position the arm if an immobilizer sling for 4-6 weeks after the surgery.
• It is advised to use only the non-surgical arm to perform daily work for at least five to seven days after the surgery.
• You can begin driving after 4-6 weeks after the bankart surgery.
• Lifting weights with the surgical arm and any form of contact sports should be avoided for at least six months after the surgery.
• Medicines prescribed after the surgery are likely to aid in quick recovery. Make sure not to miss the medicine doses.

Benefits of Surgery

When a shoulder joint is dislocated, it can lead to a great deal of pain and discomfort. The shoulder may get unstable and injure the glenoid labrum. The goal of a bankart repair is to fix these problems associated with a dislocated shoulder.

Bankart repair can be performed by two procedures – open and arthroscopic bankart repair. While conventional open surgery may require long incisions and multiple stitches, an arthroscopic bankart repair involved quick healing and minimal scarring.

The benefits of arthroscopic bankart lesion repair surgery weigh far more than an open bankart surgery. Unlike open surgery, an arthroscopic bankart repair does not involve a long time for healing.  Arthroscopic bankart surgery involves no major restrictions from regular activity and you can return to work sooner than any other surgical procedure. Other benefits of a bankart repair surgery involve smaller surgical incisions in the skin, lesser blood loss, shorter surgical duration, decreased rate of complications, and improved mobility of the shoulder.

“A Bankart repair is one of the minimally invasive, tissue-sparing treatment options to fix a dislocated shoulder. It is one of the best ways to increase the security and comfort of the shoulder, and ensure maximum mobility of the shoulder,” says one of the orthopedic specialists at Pristyn Care.

Insurance coverage

Yes. Most of the insurance providers in India cover orthopedic surgeries including bankart repair for shoulder dislocation. Several health insurance plans in India cover the cost of hospitalization, charges of the operation theatre, doctor’s consultation fee, the cost of the anesthesia, as well the cost of surgical implants. Additionally, there are insurance providers who provide the treatment coverage even if the surgery is done as a daycare procedure. All you need to do s check the terms and conditions, the term insured for the surgery, and the waiting period of the insurance policy.  The exact details of insurance coverage depend upon the insurance policy of the individual. We accept most major health insurance plans including Star Health Insurance, New India Health Insurance, Bajaj Allianz, Religare, ICICI Lombard, etc, and also provide a No Cost EMI option to patients who need assistance with finances for a shoulder dislocation surgery.

Myths & Facts

Myth 1: A dislocated shoulder and a separated shoulder are the same things.

Fact: No, they are not. Although the two sound very similar to each other, they are two very different conditions. A shoulder dislocation is a condition in which the shoulder joint pops out of the socket. The condition can cause damage to the surrounding nerves and tissues. On the other hand, a separated shoulder does not hurt the shoulder joint but the shoulder blade and the collarbone.

Myth 2: A shoulder that has been dislocated once shall not be dislocated again.

Fact: If medical reports are to be believed, 50 percent of people with a dislocated shoulder suffer a recurrence of the condition. Over 90 percent of people have a recurrence of shoulder dislocation that occurs twice. Males aged 14 to 20 suffer from recurrence of shoulder dislocation in most of the cases. If a shoulder has been dislocated twice, it is crucial to undergo surgery in order to repair the damaged nerves and tissue.

Myth 3: Shoulder dislocation is common among people of all age groups.

Fact: In reality, only 1-3 percent suffer from shoulder dislocation in their entire lifetime. In most cases, the condition occurs in men aged 25-35 years. Elderly women, people involved in contact sports are prone to dislocating their shoulders, most often after falling. A shoulder dislocation should not be taken casually. The condition should be promptly treated by an experienced orthopedic specialist.

Why undergo bankart repair surgery for shoulder dislocation at Pristyn Care?

Pristyn Care is associated with the best ortho surgeons in India who have extensive years of experience in performing advanced bankart repair surgery. Some healthcare services and medical facilities provided at Pristyn Care are:

• Expert orthopedic doctors and surgeons – Pristyn Care is associated with the best orthopedic surgeons in India who have plenty of experience in treating bankart tears without any complications. Most of the orthopedic surgeons working with Pristyn Care have more than 10 years of surgical experience.
• Free cab and meal service – We ensure the patient’s entire treatment journey is seamless. On the day of the surgery, the patient is provided free cab services and meal services in the hospital. We extend the same facility to the patient’s attendant too.
• Free follow-up consultation – Treatment at Pristyn Care does not end with just the surgery procedure. To ensure you are in the best of your health, we include post-operative care and follow-up appointments in our surgical package because we understand that the treatment is complete till you have fully recovered
• Multiple payment options – In case you are not able to afford the surgery, we also provide financing help in the form of zero-cost EMI, cashless payment, etc., so that you can get your treatment in time.
• Dedicated care coordinator – We avail a dedicated care coordinator to all patients who helps them with documentation for hospital admission, insurance claim, etc., to make the treatment journey hassle-free.