Background: Anterior shoulder dislocation is a common and functionally limiting injury in professional martial arts (MA) athletes. While arthroscopic Bankart repair is widely performed, data on long-term functional and sport-specific outcomes in elite-level MA athletes after a first-time dislocation remain scarce. Purpose: To evaluate the 5-year clinical and functional outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repair using bioabsorbable suture anchors in elite MA athletes who sustained a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation without bony Bankart lesions. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence: 4. Methods: A total of 27 elite international-level MA athletes who experienced a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation and underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with bioabsorbable suture anchors were included. All surgeries were performed within 3 weeks after the injury. Patients with bony Bankart lesions and those who had undergone either remplissage for large Hill-Sachs lesion or previous shoulder surgery were excluded. Functional evaluation included pre- and postoperative assessments using Rowe, Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System, Shoulder Sport Activity Score, forward flexion, and external rotation in adduction. Return to sport and return to preinjury competitive level were also recorded. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months assessed anchor position, stability, and cartilage or bony lesions. Outcomes were compared between athletes who returned to their previous competition level and those who did not. Results: The mean age was 24.3 years and the mean follow-up was 63.0 ± 2.5 months (range, 54-69 months). All athletes returned to sports, with 85.2% (n = 23) resuming competition at their preinjury level. Significant improvements were observed in all functional scores ( P < .001 for all), while a slight postoperative decrease in range of motion parameters was noted. No significant differences were found in clinical scores between those who returned to their preinjury level and those who did not. Recurrent dislocation occurred in 2 athletes (7.4%) during competition. Radiological follow-up with postoperative MRI was available for all 27 athletes. At 6 months, all patients demonstrated proper anchor position and stability, with no evidence of displacement or loosening. No cartilaginous or bony lesions were detected. Conclusion: Arthroscopic Bankart repair with bioabsorbable suture anchors is a safe and effective treatment for first-time anterior shoulder dislocation in elite MA athletes. This approach results in excellent long-term functional outcomes and a high rate of return to elite-level competition, with a low risk of recurrence when patients are properly selected.
Ince et al. (Sun,) studied this question.