Patients with an initial anterior dislocation of the shoulder were treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair. We focused on those patients who have a persistant shoulder apprehension after immobilization in internal rotation. We investigated the arthroscopic findings after initial anterior dislocation of the shoulder, and evaluated the results of arthroscopic Bankart repair. There were twenty patients with traumatic initial dislocation of the shoulder (14 men and 6 women, average 25.3 years old, ranging from 18 to 40 years old). The Bankart lesions were evaluated using Kurokawars classification, and the results of treatment were assessed with the JSS score. Arthroscopic findings showed the AIGHL-Labrum complex was detached from the glenoid in all cases. Type 1 in 12 shoulders, type 2n in 4 and type 3n in 4 were observed. A SLAP lesion (type 2 in 2 shoulders, type 3 in one) was identified in 3 cases. The average JSS score was 94 points postoperatively. Shoulder apprehension had disappeared in all cases and there were no recurrences. Detachment of the anterior labrum from the glenoid was thought to be the main pathologic lesion in patients with anterior dislocation of the shoulder. Arthroscopic Bankart repair was effective in reducing the shoulder apprehension and achieving an exllent recovery and return to sports activities.
