Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for Recurrent Shoulder Instability in Soldiers: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis
Abstract Background: The optimal surgical treatment of recurrent traumatic anterior shoulder instability remains a debated topic. The soldier is a special population with high-intensity military training of shoulder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repair for recurrent shoulder instability in soldiers and identify the related risk factors. Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis was performed for soldiers with recurrent shoulder instability who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair between 2009 and 2014. The primary outcome measure was recurrence of instability (redislocation or subluxation). Statistical analysis by binary logistic regression analysis was performed for the significance of various risk factors including sex, gender, number of preoperative dislocations (single/recurrent), the time interval between the first dislocation and the surgery (less or more than 6 months), SLAP repair and number of anchors. The functional outcomes were assessed with the visual analog scale (VAS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Score (ASES) and Rowe stability score preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Results: A total of 95 shoulders were followed for 53.81±9.37 months (range, 38 to 92 months). The overall postoperative recurrent instability rate was 16.84% (16 in 95). The statistical analysis showed significant differences in age (P=0.045, OR=0.818), and the time interval between the first dislocation and surgery (P=0.035, OR=5.289). There was a significant improvement in the mean VAS, ASES, and Rowe scores postoperatively (P<0.05), but the mean VAS and Rowe scores were lower in the patients of recurrence (P=0.022 and 0.034, respectively). Conclusions: This study suggested that surgery within 6 months of the first dislocation may be required for the young soldiers, although several repair techniques exist for anterior shoulder instability, arthroscopic Bankart repair remains a viable option.