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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Pittsford, VT
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    447

    Bankart Repair - My Tale of Recovery

    I figured I would post this up as both a resource to anyone who is staring down the barrel at a bankart repair as well as a way to put my experience to "paper" and ramble on about my triumphs and tribulations. Feel free to add your own insight and comments!

    After 6 years of recurrent dislocations, including a grand total of 6 ER visits to have my shoulder reduced as I was unable to reduce it myself, I bit the bullet and had surgery. I was diagnosed with a torn glenoid labrum in my right shoulder that was the leading cause of the instability and recurring dislocations. While I suffered from dislocations, it took a force to dislodge my joint and my instability was not overtly bad in day to day life. Honestly, if I wasn't active as a skier and mountain biker and finding myself in situations where it was only a matter of time before I took a spill, I wouldn't have pulled the trigger; alas, that is not who I am.

    I was on a streak of once every 6 months essentially. One dislocation a winter during skiing, and once during the summer months. However, I had been good and avoided one since May 2011 when I erred in judgement and foolishly thought that partaking in the high-intensity sport of racquetball was a good choice. One overhanded power shot done while jumping later, I was on my way to the ortho clinic to have it reduced.

    I had a arthroscopic bankart repair done last Thursday, May 3. I had a nerve block done prior to the general anesthetic and woke up from the operation with no feeling in my right arm. This made the day of surgery recovery a breeze. I went home by 2:00 p.m. that afternoon. The nerve block began wearing off that evening. While I was prepared for excruciating pain, nothing prepared me for the total lack of pain that I experienced. It appears that every case is different, but I hit the jackpot with mine. The most I had at any point was discomfort. Maybe a 3 on the 1-10 pain scale. This was a pleasant surprise after the countless 12's I had logged on the pain scale during previous dislocations. I was weaning off the Percocet by Saturday and using them for sleeptime only. By Sunday, I was done with them altogether and just taking Ibuprofen for any slight soreness.

    I was directed to flex my elbow while keeping my elbow at my side and not moving my upper arm at all. And to work my forearm muscles by using a stress ball. I did these and was rewarded with an elbow that never got stiff and more comfort through and through. I removed the bandages on Saturday (this was actually the most painful part of the entire surgery). Pro-tip, have your significant other do it while you're in the shower. The warm water really helps loosen the adhesive they use for that sucker. Slow and steady wins the race here.

    I had my first post-op appointment on Wednesday, May 9, 6 days removed from surgery. The stitches were removed and I talked with the surgeon. He looked it over, said things seemed to look good and rehashed what I can and can't do for the next 3 weeks. No active movement on the upper arm. No external rotation of the arm. I can work with it directly in front of my though, such as cutting things on a cutting board, but that elbow needs to remain at my side and my hands directly in front of me. I was given my PT referral at this time with a limit of 40 degrees external passive rotation fro the next 3 weeks.

    I started my PT the same day Wednesday. I only had a whopping 15 degrees of passive external rotation and was assigned passive range of external rotation exercises as well as pendulum exercises to do multiple times daily. Went back in today (Thursday, May 11) and I was up to 35 degrees of passive external rotation. Drastic improvement in two days which makes me happy but it also means that I've hit the wall of progress for the next few weeks until I am allowed to begin doing further exercises.

    I had prepared myself for physical pain. I did not however, realize just HOW hard it is on you mentally when it is not painful. Knowing that you can't do jack-shit while not hurting at all is extremely difficult. I found solace in going to the gym yesterday and spending 45 minutes on the recumbent bike. Make sure you have a plan in place to stay active somehow or else you will go insane. Additionally, the less time you need to take off from work, the better. I am on vacation through the end of May (unrelated to the surgery) and I wish I was at work now as it would be something to keep me busy and help the time pass by.

    Lastly, I've been focusing on the small victories that come up. Especially since my progress is going to be halted until I am further out from the surgery, it is going to be the small victories that will keep me going.

    I am still somewhat shocked by how little pain there has been throughout it all and how quickly my range of motion came back once I started with the passive exercises.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Seattle
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    6,012
    Interesting to read your experience with this, I hope mine goes as well.

    My shoulder may be more fucked up than yours though. MRI in January confirmed anterior labral tear.

    My shoulder is extremely loose and dislocates at the slightest provocation. I've dislocated twice in my sleep since beginning of January. Usually it goes up and out and I've always been able to reduce it myself. Most recent occurrence it went down into my armpit and while I was eventually able to reduce it, it took over an hour and this was after I'd walked almost all the way back to the car from where we were skiing while holding my upper arm straight out from my body.

    I hope the fact it went out in a different direction this last time didn't damage the labrum in a different spot...

    I'm taking the rest of the season off skiing, making an appointment with a highly regarded shoulder specialist and implementing a workout/PT/strengthening plan so I can be in the best shape possible when I go into surgery.

    What is the timeframe for your recovery?
    ...Some will fall in love with life and drink it from a fountain that is pouring like an avalanche coming down the mountain...

    "I enjoy skinny skiing, bullfights on acid..." - Lacy Underalls

    The problems we face will not be solved by the minds that created them.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Pittsford, VT
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    447
    Quote Originally Posted by Chainsaw_Willie View Post
    implementing a workout/PT/strengthening plan so I can be in the best shape possible when I go into surgery.

    What is the timeframe for your recovery?
    I've been given the range of 3-6 months. Depends greatly on a wide number of factors limited to, but not only, how quickly I heal and how diligent I am with my PT to recover strength and range of motion. My surgeon made it VERY clear pre-op that the success of the outcome was 30% him. The rest was up to me and my post-op recovery and PT.

    As for pre-op strengthening of the shoulder, when I asked my surgeon his advice months prior, he said that while it wouldn't hurt, it is doubtful that it would make much of a difference in the healing as muscle-loss during the first few weeks of recovery is inevitable.

    Not much to report on at this point. Forward passive flexion has been added to my PT routine as of last week. Still no active exercises until after my 5 week post-op appointment. Slow going at this point. I expect things to move forward more rapidly once the 5 week threshold has been crossed. For now, it's pendulums, passive supine external rotation to 40 degrees, shoulder shugs and pinches, and passive forward flexion, multiple times a day on my own and going to PT once a week for further stretching.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Pittsford, VT
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    447
    Been a bit since I've provided any updates. At my 6th week post-op I graduated to Phase II of rehab which allows for movement from passive stretches to active exercises with the goal of gaining full range of motion and increasing strength and stability. I'm currently 7 weeks out from surgery.

    Things have gone relatively well overall. One road-block I am having though is that my external rotation has been extremely slow to improve beyond about 50 degrees. This is causing me difficulty in completing any exercises that tie in on external rotation as well as holding me back.

    Yesterday my PT advised me to step up my external stretching from 2x a day to as much as hourly in an attempt to break things up and get me moving good there. But he did not seem overly concerned.

    Question to anyone with experience: Is it somewhat common for external rotation to be a bit slow coming back compared to the other areas?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    1
    Thanks for posting this, any chance you feel like updating it? I just had the operation done on 6/21 and I'd love to hear how you're progressing. Thanks again!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Pittsford, VT
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    Quote Originally Posted by philadendron View Post
    Thanks for posting this, any chance you feel like updating it? I just had the operation done on 6/21 and I'd love to hear how you're progressing. Thanks again!
    Apologies on not tending to this! Hadn't checked in on TGR in quite some time.

    Just had my 3-month post-op earlier this past week. Everything is nicely on track. They gave me the okay to ease into flatwater paddling and mountain biking as long as I use my head and avoid risky situations. Essentially work in slowly and don't fall, haha.

    Strength has come back very nicely. External rotation is a bit slow to come back, but per the doc, this is a good thing as it being too loose from the onset would be very bad. It is continuing to improve daily, but the stretching is unpleasant. I'd peg my recovery at about 85% complete based on how I feel.

    Also of note, it is freaking incredible to do an overhand stretch with both arms. Haven't been able to do that in 7 years! Haha.

    Honestly, the whole process went much smoother than I anticipated and the recovery has been quick for me.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    1
    Quote Originally Posted by BigAirSkier1580 View Post
    Apologies on not tending to this! Hadn't checked in on TGR in quite some time.

    Just had my 3-month post-op earlier this past week. Everything is nicely on track. They gave me the okay to ease into flatwater paddling and mountain biking as long as I use my head and avoid risky situations. Essentially work in slowly and don't fall, haha.

    Strength has come back very nicely. External rotation is a bit slow to come back, but per the doc, this is a good thing as it being too loose from the onset would be very bad. It is continuing to improve daily, but the stretching is unpleasant. I'd peg my recovery at about 85% complete based on how I feel.

    Also of note, it is freaking incredible to do an overhand stretch with both arms. Haven't been able to do that in 7 years! Haha.

    Honestly, the whole process went much smoother than I anticipated and the recovery has been quick for me.
    Your story is almost Identical to mine!

    I dislocated it first time messing around with a mate that pulled an intense grapple and arm bar on me, then recurring during climbing and anything else really.

    I'm 2 weeks out and the sling is hindering more than helping at this stage, and I still wear it in crowds etc - for others than myself.

    I'm really not feeling much pain at all but that is the most interesting part, you feel no pain, but you logically know you can't do SHIT on it haha

    So just waiting until I'm allowed to do more and more, and doing my best not to rush it.

    How are things progressing for you now?

    Cheers

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    2
    Thank you so much for this info. I go in for Bankart tear repair tomorrow 3/28/14. Have suffered instability for 10+ years stemming originally from sticking my arm in the face of a wave to pull in to the barrel and having the wave rip the arm right out. The power of waves on the North Shore of Oahu are everything they claim to be. From there, numerous episodes of the same while surfing and some while SUP surfing occurred. It all came to a head on 2/22 while SUP surfing in only head high waves. Board going left but body twisting right and paddle getting sucked up the face behind me while putting full pressure in with arms and shoulders. The right shoulder just could not handle...perfect storm.....pop! dislocate, went back in by itself but I knew right then and there I was in a new realm of messed up....no more ignoring my issue or doing minor self prescribed PT to band aid it. My MRI came back with Bankart tear with bone chipping/free body etc. I will report in after and once a week onward as I already feel better having an personal outlet through this forum.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    15
    How's it going now kfritz and others? Went in for a SLAP/Bankart repair on 8/20 and am just about to start PT. It's refreshing to hear stories similar to mine (limited pain after surgery).

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    1
    Thanks BigAirSkier1580 for this post. Out of all the medical sites I find this one the most insightful on Bankart Repair!

    I had my surgery around 10 weeks ago and most of my recovery has been the same as yours. Although external rotation is still at about 50 degrees after 10 weeks. I am now getting worried this will not return as each time I try to externally move my arm after 50 degrees the shoulder hitches up and I can gain more movement but only due to the shoulder moving up, not the joint. Has your external rotation fully recovered?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    1

    Unstable feeling in shoulder after Bankart Repair

    I just had a Bankart Repair almost 8 weeks ago after many year of recurring dislocations and when doing my physio exercises I sometimes get a very unstable feeling in my shoulder like it's about to dislocate again if I push it any further. A couple of times when I've moved it to quickly I've actually felt the ball joint move around like it's going to fall out. Same sort of pain right before it dislocates. Has anyone else experienced this? My surgeon says it won't come out but it sure as hell feels like it's going to.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sandy, Utah
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    14,410
    Had same repair couple years back. Pretty much same experience as OP. Nerve block, very little pain, off hard narcotics no more than 3 days later. the nerve block was freaky though as there is literally NO ability to move that arm for what seemed like HOURS....it came back though.. I suggest the nerve block if its an option to anyone, really lets the body start the healing process right away and focus its energies on that spot...

    All in all the predicted pain and expected recovery time was a lot less that it was billed to be..everyones different i guess. Seemed pretty easy to me.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    345
    Had both shoulders done this summer, 11weeks on the first repair and 5 on the other, first one(right shoulder) Feels awesome, and left just got out of the sling a week ago and have started the basic strengthining and just continuing with Pendelum. Had 5 anchors in each shoulder and some rotator cuff taken and shoved into a grove i made in my bone from disloacting a good 20-30times per shoulder. Pain after surgery was better then expected but still needed pain killers for about 3 days after for each shoulder. Nerve block Highly Highly recommended! Should be cleared to climb and bike in 8 weeks Stoked!!!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    369
    scheduled for nov 3rd arthroscopic surgery at the u of utah. labral tear in the front of my shoulder.
    4 complete subluxations and 1 dislocation within the past two months.

    doc says likely 2-4 weeks in a sling, then pt to recover strength and mobility.
    heres to hoping it doesnt keep me from patrolling or skiing this season!

    thanks for the info from this thread.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    1

    shoulder dislocation

    Hi All,
    Luckily I stumbled onto this thread. I could use all the support I can get.
    First dislocated my left shoulder when a wave caught the upper blade of my kayak paddle while paddling through surf about 10 years ago. It wasn't too severe. The next year I went for the Maui to Molokai race and it popped out mid-channel. I held on to my boat for an hour and luckily someone spotted me. That water is VERY sharky and there were tigers nearby. I retired from big-water races.
    I slipped and broke my fall with both arms Nov. 2015 and the ball dropped well below the socket. Tried everything. Finally a friend pulled and I put my other fist in the armpit and pushed the humerus in but it was out for 2 hours. Have numbness in my hand and limited use of fingers. Seems surgery is inevitable but dread the recovery as I've done it many times with broken femurs and ACL's. Can't imagine life out of water or not playing music. Any encouragement or info will be greatly appreciated.
    Cheers,
    Arthur

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    369
    post surgery update for those looking to get it themselves.

    surgery nov 3rd, bankart and capsular repair, left shoulder. all done arthroscopic.
    day 1: out of surgery not feeling pain or discomfort. ate half a pizza and fell asleep. woke up at 2am hating the nerve block and how i didn't have any sensation on my left side. pulled it out the next day.
    week 1: constant steady pain, nothing too intense. 2 coedine per day. tried to sit through patrol refresher 3 days out of surgery and that wasn't fun.
    weeks 2-3: no pain, steady improvement in lower arm mobility, still in sling. started the exercise bike week 2.5
    week 4: out of sling at home, only wearing the sling in public where other people might bump or cause an issue. steady exercise bike and other misc. exercises as tolerated. no shoulder movement.
    week5: start pt twice a week, begin passive stretching to regain range of motion. sling off full time
    week 6: almost full ROM, begin strength with bands and light weights.
    week 7: full ROM, active strength exercises with weights. cleared to go for light runs and hikes.
    week 8: continue strength and stability. running 3 times a week, able to do planks, a few pushups, and live fairly normal again.

    in all, optimistic for skiing by week 10. most likely not patrolling this season but should be 100% by fire season. advice for someone looking at this surgery is to get it! I was torn whether or not to get it because of the recovery. it sucks but it's noticeably worth it even after two months. do your home exercises religiously, eat healthy and don't over do it too early.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    3
    Awesome to hear how fast everyone's recovery turned out following surgery. My doc was trying to tell me I couldn't ski until January and I had surgery 8/10. Im at 2.5 weeks and it gets better every day.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sandy, Utah
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    Quote Originally Posted by ggfski42 View Post
    Awesome to hear how fast everyone's recovery turned out following surgery. My doc was trying to tell me I couldn't ski until January and I had surgery 8/10. Im at 2.5 weeks and it gets better every day.
    I skied with mine all fucked up for about 80 days before i realized I needed surgery. Got it repaired over a summer (mid july was the month no far off you) and I was skiing without incident again that follwing season...you'll be fine.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    1

    Hill-Sachs Lesion

    Anyone still reading this thing...
    Encouraging posts to read so far as I'm scheduled for an arthroscopic Bankhart repair in 3 days. I have a decent sized Hill-Sachs lesion (dent in my humeral head) from many dislocations, and I had two Dr. opinions, one saying I need that dent filled in and one saying I don't. For anyone who's had the Bankhart repair, did you have any Hill-Sachs? And if so, have you had any dislocations after surgery?
    Thanks for any insight.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    8
    I just started checking this out! I'm getting posterior bankart repair in a few weeks - amped! How has your recovery been Thraller?!

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    The Tits
    Posts
    678
    Quote Originally Posted by Thraller View Post
    Anyone still reading this thing...
    Encouraging posts to read so far as I'm scheduled for an arthroscopic Bankhart repair in 3 days. I have a decent sized Hill-Sachs lesion (dent in my humeral head) from many dislocations, and I had two Dr. opinions, one saying I need that dent filled in and one saying I don't. For anyone who's had the Bankhart repair, did you have any Hill-Sachs? And if so, have you had any dislocations after surgery?
    Thanks for any insight.
    I was good for 10+ years after Bankhart repair. I had damage to the head of the humerus as well as about 30% of the wall of the socket was missing. The previous surgeon decided things were in good enough shape which was correct. The fall it took to pop it out last year before the lastest surgery also cleanly broke my ski poles right below the grip. Grip was in my hand when I stopped moving. It was a solid tumble.
    I had the laterjet procedure done almost a year ago. They also sewed part of my rotator cuff into the dents in the humeral head. It has been a long recovery. 6 weeks of no use followed by 6 weeks of very limited use meant lots of scar tissue and muscle loss.
    A year later it's doing pretty good but still has a ways to go to be back to where it was pre- surgery.
    "College sailing isn't about who wins the most races, its about who can stand in the morning"

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Eugenio Oregón
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    8,382
    Good positive stories here! I’m t-12-hours to my Bankart ... these stories will make my wife happy because I need to be able to change baby diapers before my wife returns to work in 5 weeks ...
    _______________________________________________
    "Strapping myself to a sitski built with 30lb of metal and fibreglass then trying to water ski in it sounds like a stupid idea to me.

    I'll be there."
    ... Andy Campbell

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    SF & the Ho
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    9,299
    Quote Originally Posted by SchralphMacchio View Post
    Good positive stories here! I’m t-12-hours to my Bankart ... these stories will make my wife happy because I need to be able to change baby diapers before my wife returns to work in 5 weeks ...
    Did you do a trip report for this kid? I don't recall seeing any announcement

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Eugenio Oregón
    Posts
    8,382

    Bankart Repair - My Tale of Recovery

    No TR, just an announcement and a couple pics in the Oregon 2019 thread, but now you can see some pics on Facebook! Only 7 weeks old and she’s already been XC skiing in pow ... twice!
    _______________________________________________
    "Strapping myself to a sitski built with 30lb of metal and fibreglass then trying to water ski in it sounds like a stupid idea to me.

    I'll be there."
    ... Andy Campbell

  25. #25
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    33,440
    My left shoulder is trashed. I'm totally fearing a fall on it skiing. Initially tore r/c ten years or so ago, got it tolerable, then fell last year and it's totally fucked.

    Question - Do they sew torn labrums back together?

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