Labral (Bankart Repair)
Fixing Shoulder Instability After Dislocation - Adelaide Orthopaedic Specialist
If you’ve been living with shoulder instability, you might already know the frustration it brings, hesitating before you reach for something on a high shelf, holding your breath during a quick movement, or feeling that sharp twinge when you least expect it. The good news is, you don’t have to keep worrying about your shoulder “giving way.”
Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell, an experienced shoulder surgeon in Adelaide, offers advanced Labral (Bankart) Repair, a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore shoulder stability, reduce the risk of re-injury, and help you return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.
Whether you’re an athlete, a tradesperson, or simply want your shoulder to feel strong again, this treatment can be the key to long-term recovery.
What is a Bankart lesion?
Inside your shoulder socket, there’s a soft cartilage ring called the labrum that acts like a bumper to keep the shoulder joint stable. Sometimes, when your shoulder dislocates, often after accidents or sports injuries, the front part of this cartilage can tear. That’s called a Bankart tear.
Without repair, the shoulder may keep slipping out of place, making tasks like reaching or lifting risky.
This condition is common in younger, active people and those in contact sports, or anyone who’s fallen hard onto an outstretched arm. Without treatment, each dislocation becomes more likely.
What causes Bankart lesions?
Anterior shoulder dislocations (where the shoulder is pushed out of its correct position backwards) often cause Bankart lesions. Due to the commonality of anterior shoulder dislocations, Bankart lesions are quite prevalent.
This shoulder dislocation type is caused by trauma that pushes the shoulder in a backwards direction, such as sporting injuries or car accidents. Falling on an outstretched arm also causes this dislocation. If an individual overuses their shoulder, ligaments in the joint may be weakened, increasing risks of dislocation and instability.
Can Physical Therapy Help, or Is Surgery Required?
Not all shoulder labral tears require surgery. In some cases, especially when the tear is small and your shoulder still feels relatively stable, non-surgical approaches can be very effective.
Rest, temporary use of a sling, and a structured physiotherapy program aimed at strengthening the stabilising muscles of the shoulder can help many people return to normal activities, particularly if they don’t regularly perform overhead or high-impact movements.
However, if your shoulder has dislocated multiple times, feels like it might slip out of place, or continues to feel weak despite therapy, surgery may be the best way to restore long-term stability.
This is particularly true if you lead an active lifestyle or participate in sports or physical work where your shoulder is under frequent stress. In these cases, Bankart repair surgery provides the best chance to prevent further injury and protect your shoulder for years to come.
Conservative management
Conservative management may be implemented to heal Bankart lesions. This emphasises strengthening joint stabilisers through exercises and physiotherapy to reduce the risk of further injury.
After joint relocation and numerous weeks of immobilisation, specialised movements will be advised to strengthen shoulder muscles. Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell can recommend non-surgical healing methods and refer you to proficient physiotherapists for quality, ongoing care.
Surgical repair - arthroscopic Bankart lesion repair
Shoulder arthroscopy is the leading method for Bankart tear repairment.
This arthroscopic surgery is conducted under general anaesthetic. Before correcting the shoulder, Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell makes a little incision and inserts a small camera into the joint for full, accurate inspection.
Dr Brumby-Rendell then repairs the shoulder at the injury site by inserting specialised, small instruments. Tissue damage is removed, and tiny sutures are used to repair tears in the cartilage.
Then, the instruments are removed, the incisions closed, and the wounds dressed.
Recovery from arthroscopic Bankart lesion repair
Post-surgery, you will generally wear a sling for 4-6 weeks to minimise healing complications.
After this period, Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell will advise if you are able to resume everyday activities.
Your recovery journey will be unique, as it depends on your individual needs and health. An individualised rehabilitation plan will be prescribed by Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell to increase shoulder strength and motion abilities after your surgery.
More post-operative information
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is Surgery with Dr Brumby-Rendell Different?
Choosing the right surgeon can make a significant difference to both your experience and your long-term outcome. Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell, based in Adelaide at the Adelaide Shoulder & Upper Limb Clinic, specialises in advanced arthroscopic (keyhole) techniques that are gentle on surrounding tissues and promote quicker recovery.
What sets him apart is his personalised rehabilitation planning—tailored to your lifestyle, work, and sport—ensuring your recovery is not just about healing, but about regaining full, confident use of your shoulder. His experience in treating athletes, tradespeople, and everyday patients means you’ll receive care that’s both precise and practical for your needs.
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Watch more videos about shoulder injury-related content and other obvious questions about what you can do after a surgery.
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