Background: Anterior glenohumeral instabilities can be corrected with open and arthroscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the surgical outcomes of arthroscopic repair of anterior glenohumeral instabilities with use of suture anchors in a series of patients who were followed for twenty to fifty months.

Methods: The results of arthroscopic Bankart repair with use of suture anchors in 30 patients with traumatic recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder were evaluated. At the time of follow-up (mean of thirty-three months), the patients were assessed with two outcome measurement tools (the Rowe score, the Constant score). The recurrence rate, range of motion, and risk factors for postoperative recurrence were evaluated.

Results: According to the Rowe scale, 12 patients (40%) had an excellent score; 13 (43%), a good score; 4 (13%), a fair score; and 1 (4%), a poor score. The mean ROWE score was 81.8 and the mean CONSTANT score was 85.5. Overall, the rate of postoperative recurrence of instability was 10% (two dislocations, one subluxation). The mean delay to recurrence was 20 months. Loss of external rotation in regard to uninvolved extremity was less than 10 degrees in 30% and more than 10 degrees in 10% of patients. The average number of anchors used was 3.2 which follow-up radiographs showed all of them in the osseous glenoid without pullout. In preoperative studies, shoulder 3D CT scan was not performed routinely. Radiographic signs of degenerative changes were noted in one shoulder.

Conclusion: Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair with use of suture anchors can provide satisfactory outcomes in terms of recurrence rate, activity, and range of motion.