Clicking sensation in shoulder after Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

[theshoulderguy]

Hi there, your labral (Bankart) repair depending on the size of the tear will be repaired (at least in Australia anyway) with suture anchors (small screws with sutures attached) placed adjacent to the surface of the glenoid (socket). The suture knots that surround the labrum can sometimes cause an audible but usually non painful click when the arm is moved. Furthermore, the rotator cuff muscles which provide shoulder stability will be inhibited post surgery and thus your shoulder stability will be somewhat compromised and that can lead to a few audible noises in the shoulder. Ultimately at the end of the day and your rehab there should be minimal or no clicking at all. Over time these suture knots will flatten out and become less of a nuisance. I am a little concerned that you may be moving the arm too much. In the first 6 weeks, I would keep my movements below shoulder height and if it is an anterior labral repair avoid the position I call the high 5 or stop sign for some time yet. Finally, be very careful about taking advice from those who don't know off the internet. Some of the contributor's on eHow are ghost writers and not trained in physiotherapy let alone have a special interest in the shoulder.
All the Best!
Luke

[HponeMK]

Hey Luke!

Thanks for the reply! I feel much better! Yea my bankart repair was also repaired with suture anchors I think even though the specialist didn't say it (it was stated on my operation sheet as implants). Ah thanks for the advice on keeping it below shoulder height! Thanks again!

[spAno7]

Hi. The reason I am posting this is because I too have a slight popping/clicking sound from my shoulder when I raise my shoulder (doing a shoulder shrug). I recently had a posterior labrum repair in my right shoulder (11 weeks ago). The first 6 weeks of rehab and everyday activities were fine despite the terrible first 3 weeks of being in that horrible sling 24/7. At 6 1/2 weeks I was closing a gym door with my right arm, as I was closing it I turned to my left and at the same moment someone on the outside yanked the door open. My hand was still caught in the door, so when the person opened the door my arm rotated externally and there was a popping noise. I did not however, experience any pain or numbness to the area (shoulder felt sore for a at most a minute but felt normal after that). I was very nervous and uneasy about this as I thought I may have messed up the repair. I went in to the athletic trainers that do my rehab to have them check out my shoulder. They did a couple tests on it and they said it felt strong and there were no clicking or popping sounds when they were moving it around. So far, (11 weeks out now) I have had no other problems or pain with my shoulder and I continue a 3 day a week rehab program with certified athletic trainers at the university I attend.

As I said I do have those minute popping/clicking noises when I shrug my shoulder. Other than that everything (rehab, day to day activities) have been great and I have had very little pain, if any. Anyways I was wondering if you think I have anything to worry about, or if it was most likely some scar tissue popping. I have had many friends undergo the same surgery and they talk about their shoulders popping and attributing it to scar tissue.

I was also wondering if external rotation of the shoulder puts stress on the posterior labrum, as I have heard that external rotation does not put stress on that area, it only hinges there.

Thanks a bunch.