Arthroscopic Bankart repair (or Latarjet procedure)
Content reviewed by✓Mr Andrew Davies, PhD FRCS (Tr & Orth)· Reviewed June 2026Surgery for shoulder instability aims to repair the damaged labrum and tighten the capsule to prevent further dislocations. This guide covers what to expect before and after your operation.
Step 1 - Your pre-operative assessment
ℹ️ Your pre-assessment takes place 2–4 weeks before surgery. The operation is performed arthroscopically (keyhole) in most cases, though the Latarjet procedure is open or mini-open.
You will meet the nursing and anaesthetic teams. Pre-operative imaging (CT scan) will already have been reviewed by your surgeon to plan the approach.
Blood tests and baseline checks
Routine bloods and blood pressure to confirm fitness for anaesthesia.
CT scan review confirmed
Your surgeon will have reviewed your CT scan to confirm whether a Bankart repair or Latarjet procedure is planned based on the degree of bone loss.
Anaesthetic discussion
General anaesthesia with an interscalene nerve block. The block numbs the shoulder for 12–18 hours after surgery, providing excellent early pain control.
Arrange home support
You will need help at home for the first 1–2 weeks, particularly with washing, dressing, and cooking. Prepare loose-fitting clothing.
Return to contact sport
Full return to contact sport takes 6–9 months. Do not underestimate the rehabilitation period - returning too early significantly increases the risk of re-dislocation.
The day of surgery
ℹ️ You will be given a specific arrival time. Have no food from 2am on the day of surgery; you may drink clear water until 6am. Bring your medication list and any documents sent by the hospital.
Arrive at the time given
You will be admitted to the ward or day surgery unit, change into a gown, and be seen by the nursing, anaesthetic, and surgical teams before theatre.
Consent and marking
Your surgeon will confirm the procedure, mark the operative side, and you will sign a consent form before going to theatre.
Anaesthetic
You will meet the anaesthetist in the anaesthetic room. Once anaesthesia is established, the procedure will begin.
Recovery room
After surgery you will wake in the recovery room where nurses monitor your vital signs until you are stable and comfortable.
In hospital
Most patients having arthroscopic or day-case procedures go home on the day of surgery. Those having joint replacement typically stay 1–2 nights. Before discharge, the team will check your pain is controlled, give you wound care instructions, and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Pain control
You will be given oral pain relief before discharge. Take it regularly for the first 48 hours rather than waiting until pain is severe.
Wound check and dressing
A nurse will check the wound before you leave and explain how to keep it clean and dry.
Discharge letter and follow-up
You will receive a letter for your GP and details of your next outpatient appointment - usually at 2 weeks for a wound check.
You must not drive yourself home
Arrange for a family member or friend to collect you. You must not drive on the day of surgery if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation.
Going home
⚠️ Important: The shoulder must not be placed in a position of abduction and external rotation (the "at-risk" position) for the first 4–6 weeks after surgery. This means sleeping on your back, not reaching out to the side, and avoiding any position that previously caused apprehension.
Keep the wound clean and dry
Avoid getting the wound wet until it is fully healed - usually 10–14 days. Use a waterproof cover or cling film when showering.
Take your pain relief as prescribed
Do not wait until pain is severe before taking medication. Regular simple analgesia (paracetamol, ibuprofen if appropriate) is more effective.
Attend your wound check appointment
This is usually 2 weeks after surgery. Sutures or clips will be removed if used.
When to contact the hospital
Seek urgent advice if you develop increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge from the wound, or a temperature above 38°C - these may indicate infection.
Recovery week by week
Pre-assessment
Blood tests, CT review, anaesthetic discussion, home preparation.
Arthroscopic or open procedure
Bankart repair: 60–90 minutes, day case. Latarjet: 90–120 minutes, usually one night in hospital.
Sling and protected movement
Arm in sling. Pendulum exercises and gentle hand/wrist/elbow movement. No shoulder rotation.
Active physiotherapy begins
Sling discontinued. Progressive range-of-movement and strengthening programme.
Sport-specific rehabilitation
Strengthening, throwing programme (if applicable), sport-specific exercises.
Return to contact sport
Cleared by surgeon and physiotherapist when strength is symmetric and apprehension-free.
Will I need a sling?
Yes - a sling is worn for 4–6 weeks after surgery to protect the repair while the labrum heals back to the bone.
When can I drive?
Not until the sling is off and you have sufficient movement and strength for safe vehicle control - usually 6–8 weeks after surgery.
Can I return to rugby / football / martial arts?
Return to contact sport is possible but requires 6–9 months of rehabilitation. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will clear you when strength, movement, and apprehension tests are satisfactory.
What is the risk of re-dislocation after surgery?
Bankart repair has approximately 10–15% recurrence rate in contact athletes, which is significantly lower than the 70%+ rate without surgery at this age group. Latarjet has a lower recurrence rate of around 2–5%.
Recovery calendar
A week-by-week guide to recovery. Individual timelines vary, always follow your surgical team.
Soft tissue procedures (Bankart repair)
Keyhole repair of the torn labrum and capsule, with no bone surgery. Recovery is paced to protect the soft-tissue repair while it heals.
Bony procedures (Latarjet and bone block)
Procedures that rebuild lost bone at the front of the socket, including the Latarjet (coracoid transfer) and bone block grafts. Early recovery is paced to protect the transferred or grafted bone while it unites, and an X-ray usually confirms healing before contact sport.
Consent information
Purpose and intended benefits
The aim of surgical stabilisation is to restore the structural integrity of the shoulder joint to prevent further dislocations and subluxations, allowing return to sport and daily activities without fear of the shoulder giving way.
What the procedure involves
Bankart repair: under general anaesthetic, the shoulder is inspected arthroscopically. The detached labrum and inferior glenohumeral ligament are reattached to the glenoid rim using suture anchors (typically 3-4 anchors). Latarjet procedure: through a small open incision, the coracoid process is detached with its attached conjoined tendon and transferred to the anterior glenoid rim using screws. This provides both bony augmentation of the glenoid and a sling effect of the conjoined tendon preventing anterior dislocation.
Alternative treatments
Physiotherapy and activity modification
Appropriate for atraumatic or multidirectional instability and in older patients after primary dislocation. Not effective for established traumatic instability with Bankart lesion.
Bankart repair
Appropriate when glenoid bone loss is less than 20% and ISIS score is low. Less appropriate for contact athletes and those with significant bone loss.
Latarjet procedure
Preferred when glenoid bone loss exceeds 20%, ISIS score is high, or after failed Bankart repair. Lower recurrence rate but more extensive surgery.
Risks of the procedure
Recurrent dislocation or subluxation after surgery. Risk is higher after Bankart repair in contact athletes and those with bone loss. Risk is lower after Latarjet.
The musculocutaneous nerve passes close to the conjoined tendon transfer. Injury causes weakness of elbow flexion. Usually temporary.
Screw malposition or fracture of the coracoid transfer. May require revision surgery.
Wound or joint infection.
Loss of external rotation is the most common functional deficit after stabilisation surgery, particularly after Latarjet. Usually minor.
The coracoid screws may cause irritation and occasionally require removal after bone healing is confirmed.
Expected and managed with regular analgesia and nerve block.
Normal after shoulder surgery.
Expected in the early recovery period. Physiotherapy addressing this begins from the first week.
The arm is in a sling for 3-6 weeks. Discomfort and restriction are expected.
If you choose not to have surgery
In young patients with established traumatic instability, further dislocations are common without surgery, and repeated dislocations can add to wear of the bone and cartilage over time, which may make a later stabilisation more involved. Earlier stabilisation in this group tends to give the best long-term outcomes. The chance of further dislocation varies from person to person, so it is worth discussing your own level of risk with your surgeon.
Your questions, answered
Plain-English answers to the things people most often ask, drawn from real patient questions and grounded in published guidance. Tap a question to open it.
About thisWhat is shoulder instability?
The shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint, which makes it prone to slipping partly (a subluxation) or fully (a dislocation) out of place. This usually follows an injury, but the shoulder can also feel loose from repeated strain or naturally stretchy tissues.
Your choiceDo I need surgery?
After a first traumatic dislocation, many people are treated with physiotherapy. Surgery to repair or tighten the structures is considered when dislocations keep happening, especially in younger, active people who have a higher chance of recurrence. The right path depends on your age, activity and the type of injury.
RecurrenceWill it happen again?
A younger age at the first dislocation strongly raises the chance of further dislocations, and the risk falls with older age. This is a major reason why surgery is discussed with young, active patients. Your surgeon can give you a sense of your individual risk.
Getting backWhat is recovery and return to sport like?
Without surgery: a short period in a sling, then a progressive programme to build strength and control. After surgery: a sling for a few weeks, then staged rehabilitation, with return to contact or overhead sport usually several months later once strength and control have returned.
AnaesthesiaWhat anaesthetic is used for stabilisation surgery?
Stabilisation is usually done under a general anaesthetic, often combined with a nerve block for pain relief afterwards. Your anaesthetist will discuss the options and the temporary arm numbness a block causes.
PreparingHow do I prepare for surgery?
Stabilisation is often keyhole (arthroscopic) day-case surgery. Arrange a sling and help at home, and you will follow a staged rehabilitation plan afterwards.
UrgentWhen should I seek urgent help?
A shoulder that is dislocated and will not go back, numbness or a cold or pale arm, or being unable to move the arm after an injury, all need urgent assessment. Do not try to force the shoulder back yourself.
WellbeingI am anxious it will pop out again.
That is very common and can affect confidence and sleep. A structured rehabilitation programme and clear advice on which positions to be careful with help rebuild trust in the shoulder.
- British Elbow & Shoulder Society: shoulder instability
- BESS / BOA care pathway: traumatic anterior shoulder instability (PDF)
- NICE CKS: Shoulder pain (clinical knowledge summary)
- NHS: Shoulder pain
These links are to UK clinical guidance and patient information from recognised organisations. This page is for general information and does not replace personalised advice from your own clinical team.