Outcome following Bankart repair for shoulder instability 1998-2002 using a subjective patient based shoulder questionnaire (Oxford)

Bankart repair for shoulder instability has been performed by the senior author since 1998. We employ a modification of the technique as described by Rowe et al., using suture anchors but without a coracoid osteotomy. If inferior instability was present this procedure was combined with a capsular shift. We performed a retrospective case note review and postal questionnaire incorporating the Oxford Instability Score (OIS) on all patients. Fifty Bankart repairs were performed in the study period, three patients had further dislocations and three patients had ongoing symptoms of instability. Response rate to the questionnaire was 62%. Mean OIS following primary stabilisation was 21.7 (possible scores from 12-excellent to 60-poor). OIS following Bankart stabilisation of the shoulder has not been previously reported. These results compare favourably to original scores published by Dawson et al. (1999) who included both patients treated by surgery or physiotherapy.