Bankart Lesion: What It Means and How We Help You Recover

A shoulder dislocation doesn’t always end when the joint pops back in place. For many, the damage caused during that traumatic moment continues silently until it starts affecting everyday movement, confidence, and even sleep. One of the most common and under-treated causes of persistent shoulder instability after dislocation is a Bankart lesion.

If you’ve been dealing with repeated shoulder slipping, discomfort when reaching overhead, or MRI findings pointing to labral injury, you may be facing this condition. At Perfect Balance Clinic in Moorgate, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening inside your shoulder and support you through a structured path to long-term recovery.

What Is a Bankart Lesion?

A Bankart lesion refers to an injury of the labrum, the ring of cartilage around the rim of the shoulder socket (glenoid). This damage to the labrum usually follows a strong frontward shoulder dislocation.

This type of tear affects how well the shoulder stays in place. A torn labrum makes it easier for the arm bone to slip out of the joint over and over.

How the Injury Happens

A Bankart lesion often develops when the shoulder is placed in a vulnerable position:

• Abducted (arm moved out to the side)

• Externally rotated (rotated outward)

• Extended (moved backwards)

The anteroinferior labrum gets torn when the humeral head is pushed forward from a strong impact. This kind of damage causes problems with the ligaments that keep the shoulder joint steady.

This is particularly common in:

• Rugby and contact sport athletes

• Overhead athletes (swimmers, tennis players, volleyball players)

• Young, active individuals (often under age 30)

Research shows that Bankart lesions affect men approximately three times more often than women. In people under 30 (especially athletes), the risk of the shoulder dislocating again is extremely high if the injury isn’t surgically addressed. In fact, without surgery, more than 9 out of 10 young athletes may experience repeat dislocations, particularly when returning to impact or overhead sports.

Types of Bankart Lesions

Not all Bankart lesions are identical. Recognising the differences helps determine the most suitable treatment plan:

• Soft Tissue Bankart - A classic detachment of the labrum from the glenoid without bone involvement.

• Bony Bankart - Involves a fragment of bone breaking off with the labrum, typically seen on X-ray or CT.

• ALPSA (Anterior Labroligamentous Periosteal Sleeve Avulsion) - The labrum is avulsed but remains connected to the periosteum and may shift medially.

• Perthes Lesion - The labrum is lifted but the periosteum stays intact. It can be harder to detect on standard MRI.

Each variant may require a different surgical or rehabilitative approach, especially if there is bony involvement or displacement of tissue.

Associated Injuries

A Bankart lesion often doesn’t come alone. It may appear alongside:

• Hill-Sachs Lesion - A dent or compression fracture on the back of the humeral head caused by the dislocation.

• SLAP Tear - A tear of the upper (superior) labrum from front to back, affecting throwing and overhead activities.

• Capsular Stretching - Over time, the capsule surrounding the joint can become lax, contributing to instability.

Recognising the full pattern of injury is essential to getting an accurate diagnosis and complete treatment plan.

Signs and Symptoms You Might Notice

• Shoulder slipping or “giving way” during movement

• Pain during overhead reaching or lifting

• Clicking, popping, or catching sensations

• Weakness or hesitance with sport or exercise

• Fear of dislocation or movement limitation

• Vague aching discomfort, especially after activity

Even if the shoulder relocates easily, the damage to the soft tissue often persists quietly limiting function until it becomes impossible to ignore.

Diagnosing a Bankart Lesion

We begin your care at Perfect Balance Clinic - Moorgate with a full exam and then imaging if needed.

Common Clinical Tests Include:

• Apprehension Test - Pain or guarding when the arm is placed in a vulnerable position.

• Relocation Test - Relief of symptoms when pressure is applied to the front of the shoulder.

• Load and Shift Test - Assesses translation and stability of the humeral head.

• Anterior Drawer Test - Evaluates anterior instability of the joint.

Imaging May Include:

• MRI or MR Arthrogram - Most effective for spotting soft tissue injuries like labral tears.

• X-ray - Especially helpful for identifying bony Bankart lesions or Hill-Sachs indentations.

• CT Scan - Offers high-resolution views of bony anatomy, useful in surgical planning.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Not treating a Bankart lesion can cause serious damage to your shoulder over time. Each dislocation stretches the joint capsule further, making stability harder to regain without professional support.

Early assessment and intervention improve outcomes especially when rehab is introduced promptly and progressively.

Our Structured Recovery Approach at Perfect Balance Clinic

At Perfect Balance Clinic - Moorgate, we take a step-by-step approach to managing Bankart lesions, combining clinical expertise, functional rehabilitation, and long-term support.

Here’s what your care might involve:

1. Initial Assessment and Diagnosis

• We take time to review your injury, how your shoulder works, and past reports at Perfect Balance Clinic - Moorgate.

• Special orthopaedic tests help guide our working diagnosis.

• If needed, we refer you for appropriate imaging to confirm the extent and nature of the lesion.

2. Personalised Rehabilitation Plan

We provide phase-based rehabilitation that typically includes:

Early Phase

• Pain management

• Gentle range-of-motion work

• Scapular muscle control

• Avoidance of provocative positions

Mid Phase

• Strengthening of the rotator cuff and periscapular muscles

• Resistance band work

• Proprioceptive training (balance and joint awareness)

• Motor control re-education

Late Phase

• Return-to-sport drills

• Plyometric and high-load preparation

• Contact or overhead movement simulation

• Confidence building under supervision

3. Sports Therapy Integration

Our therapists at Perfect Balance Clinic in Moorgate focus on the link between recovery and performance. They’ll introduce drills specific to your sport, ensure movement quality is restored, and prepare you for the demands of returning to competition.

4. Shockwave Therapy (When Needed)

If you’re struggling with stubborn soft tissue tightness or scar restriction, shockwave therapy can support healing and reduce pain. It’s available at our Moorgate clinic and used selectively alongside hands-on therapy and rehab.

5. Surgical Liaison and Post-Operative Support

Not every Bankart lesion needs surgery, but in cases of:

• Repeated dislocation

• Bony involvement

• ALPSA or displaced tears

...surgical repair may be recommended. In these cases, we support you with:

• Pre-op strengthening (“prehabilitation”)

• Post-op rehab and range reintroduction

• Sport-specific return protocols

We’re familiar with common procedures such as arthroscopic Bankart repair, open stabilisation, and Latarjet (used when bone loss is present).

That said, not everyone is a candidate for surgery. Individuals with certain collagen disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Marfan syndrome are often considered poor candidates for this type of surgery due to underlying tissue fragility and joint laxity. In those cases, we focus on building joint control and function through structured rehabilitation.

Real Recovery. Real People.

Many of our patients arrive after months of trying to manage their shoulder issues alone hesitant to move, uncertain about their scans, and frustrated by repeat injuries. After the right plan, consistent guidance, and progressive strengthening, their confidence returns.

Whether you’re getting back to sport or simply want to lift your arm overhead without thinking twice, our role is to guide your return from instability to resilience.

Stabilise. Strengthen. Move On.

A Bankart lesion doesn’t have to define your shoulder’s future. Whether you’ve had one dislocation or several, the key is to act early, treat thoroughly, and prevent recurrence. At Perfect Balance Clinic in Moorgate, our team is ready to guide you through that journey step by step, phase by phase.

If your shoulder feels unreliable, weak, or constantly at risk of slipping. Book your assessment now. Together, we’ll help you stabilise, strengthen, and move forward with confidence.

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Finding Us in Moorgate

Perfect Balance Clinic - Moorgate Centrally located near Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations. Easily accessible via public transport. Please note: There is no on-site parking available at the Moorgate clinic. We recommend using public transport or nearby public car parks, such as:

• Finsbury Square Car Park

• London Wall Car Park

• We offer early morning and evening appointments to accommodate your schedule.

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Perfect Balance Clinic, Moorgate