Bankart lesion

BANKART LESION

A Bankart lesion is an injury to the front-lower part of the shoulder labrum and it is very commonly linked to an anterior shoulder dislocation. In simple terms, when the shoulder comes out forward, the rim of cartilage that helps keep the joint stable can be torn. This can lead to pain, a feeling of instability, fear in certain positions and difficulty with activities that involve lifting or moving the arm away from the body.

What a Bankart lesion is

A Bankart lesion usually happens after a shoulder dislocation or subluxation and often causes deep joint pain together with a sense that the shoulder no longer feels secure, especially when you lift the arm overhead, move it out to the side, throw, push or support yourself through the arm, while many people also report clicking, catching or fear that the shoulder may slip again in certain positions; because the body tries to protect the area it is common to unconsciously avoid those angles, lose comfort with overhead movement, overload the neck and shoulder blade muscles and feel less confident with work, weights or sports, yet in many cases the first line of management is conservative with physiotherapy, strengthening and gradual retraining of the shoulder and surgery is considered mainly when instability persists or dislocation episodes keep recurring.

Bankart lesion repair

Rehabilitation usually starts by calming irritation and rebuilding the feeling of stability without pushing too quickly into positions that create fear or a sense that the joint may slip. Early focus is placed on shoulder blade control, proper activation of the rotator cuff muscles and gradual restoration of movement so the shoulder works in a more coordinated way. Later the program adds more functional drills for support, pushing, pulling and overhead motion and then progresses to more demanding tasks such as weights or sport when the shoulder tolerates them without strong symptoms or instability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a Bankart lesion?
It is a tear or detachment of the front-lower part of the shoulder labrum that usually happens after an anterior shoulder dislocation. This affects shoulder stability and can make the joint more vulnerable to repeated instability episodes.
How is it usually caused?
It is most often caused when the shoulder dislocates forward after a fall, collision or sports injury. It can also be linked to repeated subluxation episodes in an unstable shoulder.
What symptoms are most common?
The most common symptoms are deep shoulder pain, a sense of instability, apprehension in certain positions, clicking or catching and difficulty with overhead activity or throwing.
Is it the same as a SLAP lesion?
No. A Bankart lesion affects the front-lower part of the labrum while a SLAP lesion affects the upper part near the biceps attachment. Both involve the labrum but in different locations and with different symptom patterns.
Can I keep training?
Often yes with modifications. For a period of time movements that create instability or strong pain such as heavy overhead pressing or forceful throwing are reduced while safer and better tolerated exercises are maintained.
When can I return to sport or weights?
Return is gradual when the shoulder feels more stable, when basic exercises are tolerated without strong pain or fear and when more demanding positions can be tested without a slipping sensation. Timing varies depending on your instability history and activity level.
How can I reduce the chance of it happening again?
Consistent strengthening of the shoulder blade, rotator cuff and trunk, gradual progression in training and avoiding a sudden return to heavy overhead work or throwing after time off all help reduce recurrence risk. When the shoulder works in a more coordinated way the risk of renewed instability also tends to drop.
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