Arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction with a bioabsorbable anchor

This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a poly-L-lactic acid biodegradable suture anchor for arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction with a prospective multicenter study. Inclusion criteria were one or more episodes of traumatic dislocation or multiple post-traumatic subluxations as a manifestation of unidirectional anterior instability. Exclusion criteria were significant glenoid bone deficiency, large Hill-Sachs lesions, rotator cuff tears, multidirectional instability, posterior labrum tears, or biceps ruptures. Fifty-seven patients were followed up for a mean of 24 months. Postoperative apprehension tests were negative in all but two. Motion improved from 155degrees preoperatively to a mean of 175degrees postoperatively. Four patients had postoperative instability symptoms (two dislocators and two with subluxations). Postoperative radiographs demonstrated no lytic or resorptive bone changes from the suture anchors. The mean postoperative Rowe score was 93. The biodegradable suture anchor achieved good clinical results when used for arthroscopic Bankart reconstruction with no material-related adverse events.