The labrum of the shoulder is the ring of soft cartilage around the rim of the “socket” of the shoulder joint. This serves to deepen the socket and increase stability to the shoulder joint.

 

A labral tear associated with a shoulder dislocation is called a Bankart tear. When the shoulder dislocates, the “ball” traumatically leaves its place in the socket, pushing against and tearing the labrum. When the labrum detaches from bone, it is no longer stabilizing the shoulder. 

 

A Bankart lesion can lead to pain, recurrent shoulder instability, popping, clicking, clunking, or shifting. 

 

A Bankart can occur in a variety of ways: sports injuries, a fall, or trauma. An examination in the office as well as MRI imaging will confirm the presence of a labral tear. Treatment depends on the size, shape, and location of your labral tear:

​

• For small labral tears or simply inflammation in the shoulder following a shoulder dislocation, Dr. Bedford may recommend physical therapy, ice, oral anti inflammatory medicine, and temporary use of a sling for comfort.

• For large Bankart tears, Dr. Bedford will recommend an arthroscopic labral repair to restore stability to the shoulder joint. Without surgical repair, the shoulder will remain unstable and recurrently dislocate. 

• Occasionally, a shoulder dislocation can cause a tear of the rotator cuff. Treatment of this injury depends on the size, shape, and location of the rotator cuff tear.