Bankart Repair in Pearland, TX

What Is a Bankart Lesion?

When your shoulder dislocates, the labrum, the ring of cartilage that helps keep the ball of your shoulder joint seated in its socket, can tear away from the bone. This tear is called a Bankart lesion, and it usually happens at the front-lower part of the labrum, right where the shoulder tends to dislocate.

When that cartilage tears, it can lessen the natural depth and grip of the socket. That’s why many patients with a Bankart lesion have repeated dislocations, or a chronically unstable-feeling shoulder, even with normal daily movement. Typical reasons are:

• A traumatic shoulder dislocation from a fall, collision, or sports injury
• Repeated subluxations (partial dislocations) that gradually wear down the labrum
• Structural shoulder looseness that makes the joint more prone to injury

Signs You Might Need Bankart Repair Surgery

Not every shoulder dislocation requires surgery, and Dr. Burke recommends surgery only when there’s a clear clinical reason to. But certain signs point toward a Bankart lesion that needs surgical repair rather than rest and rehab alone:

• Your shoulder has dislocated more than once
• You feel your shoulder shift or slip during overhead or throwing motions
• You avoid certain movements out of fear your shoulder will pop out
• Physical therapy and bracing haven’t stopped the instability
• An MRI confirms a labral tear at the front of the shoulder

Younger, athletic patients tend to have a higher risk of repeat dislocations after a first injury, which is often a strong argument for Bankart repair surgery sooner rather than later. Dr. Burke will factor in your age, activity level, and how your shoulder has responded to conservative treatment before making a recommendation.

What Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Involves

Most Bankart repairs today are done arthroscopically, meaning Dr. Robert L. Burke works through a few small incisions instead of one large open cut. A tiny camera gives him a clear, magnified view inside the joint, and specialized instruments let him reattach the torn labrum to the bone using small suture anchors.

Arthroscopic Bankart repair typically takes about an hour, though the exact time depends on how much of the labrum needs repair. Dr. Burke performs the surgery under general anesthesia to manage pain when the anesthesia wears off.

Because the incisions are small, patients generally experience less pain and a faster initial recovery than they would with open shoulder surgery. Most patients go home the same day.

Recovering From Bankart Repair Surgery

Rebuilding stability in your shoulder takes real commitment, since the repaired labrum needs to heal solidly to the bone before it can handle stress again. Here’s what recovery actually involves:

• Wear Your Sling As Directed

You’ll wear a sling around the clock for the first several weeks, removing it only for the gentle exercises Dr. Burke’s team assigns you. The sling isn’t just for comfort; it keeps your shoulder still so the repair can heal undisturbed, and skipping it too early puts the repair at risk.

• Follow Your Exercises in Order

Once you start moving your shoulder again, follow the specific exercises your therapist gives you, in the order they give them. Range-of-motion work comes before strengthening for a reason: pushing your shoulder too hard, too soon can stress the healing labrum before it’s ready.

• Attend Every Physical Therapy Session

Our on-site therapists coordinate directly with Dr. Burke, so they can closely track how your repair is progressing and adjust your exercises accordingly. Skipping sessions makes it harder to catch problems early or fine-tune your plan to how your shoulder is actually healing.

• Avoid Lifting and Overhead Reaching

Even everyday movements like reaching into a cabinet or carrying groceries can strain a healing repair. Dr. Burke will tell you when it’s safe to reintroduce these movements based on your progress, not a fixed calendar date.

• Report New Pain or Instability

These can be early signs the repair needs attention. Catching an issue early is far easier to manage than catching it months later.

• Build Strength Gradually

Strengthening exercises come once your range of motion is solid, and Dr. Burke clears you for sports or physically demanding activity only after testing confirms your shoulder can handle the load safely, typically around four to six months, though this varies by patient.

Because recovery timelines shift based on how each shoulder heals, Dr. Burke and your physical therapy team adjust your plan at every visit rather than sticking to a generic schedule.

Why Choose Dr. Burke for Bankart Repair Surgery in Pearland, TX

Shoulder instability can quietly erode your confidence in everyday movement, and choosing the right surgeon to fix it matters. Dr. Burke brings more than 35 years of orthopedic experience and has performed thousands of shoulder procedures, with board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Certificate in Orthopedic Sports Medicine backing every recommendation he makes.

He also takes a conservative-first approach, so he’ll only recommend surgery when it’s genuinely your best path forward. Same-day and next-day appointments mean you’re not stuck waiting weeks just to get a diagnosis. Our office is conveniently located to serve patients throughout the Pearland area.