Glenoid defect associated with anterior shoulder instability: results of open Bankart repair

The purpose of the study was to analyse the clinical results of an open Bankart repair for anterior instability in patients with a glenoid defect and those without a glenoid defect, and to identify factors related to the glenoid defect associated with anterior instability. The prospective study involved 20 patients with a glenoid defect (glenoid defect group) and 20 patients without a glenoid defect (control group) who were enrolled after an open Bankart repair. The average age of each group at the time of surgery was 28 and 23 years respectively. The average follow-up periods were 48 and 55 months. There were no significant differences in subjective pain and stability between the two groups. But the final Rowe score decreased significantly as the size of the glenoid defect increased. Redislocation or subluxation was seen in three patients in the glenoid defect group. The open Bankart procedure restored stability and improved shoulder functions in the patients with a glenoid defect associated with anterior instability, even though the glenoid defect group experienced a significant loss in the range of external rotation with the arm at the side, and the final outcome of the surgery depended upon the size of a glenoid defect. This was a therapeutic, level III case-control study.