Private Bankart Repair Surgery

Bankart surgery is an operation to fix a shoulder that keeps popping out to the front (anterior instability). When a shoulder dislocates, the labrum—a rubbery rim around the socket (glenoid)—can tear off the front-bottom area.

That specific tear is called a Bankart lesion. Without that rim, the ball (humeral head) doesn’t sit securely and can slip out again.In a Bankart repair, the surgeon reattaches the torn labrum to the edge of the socket using small anchors and sutures. The anchors act like tiny wall plugs set into the bone; the sutures pull the labrum back into its proper position, recreating the bumper that keeps the ball centered. Often, the joint’s capsule (the sleeve around the shoulder) is tightened at the same time to restore stability.

Most Bankart surgeries are done arthroscopically—through small incisions with a camera and specialized tools—though some cases use an open approach. The goal is simple: rebuild the front “bumper” and tighten the soft tissues so the shoulder stops slipping and can handle everyday use and sports without feeling loose.

Shorter wait times

• Shoulder instability often sidelines work and sport.
• Private centres can schedule consultation and surgery sooner, reducing time with recurrent dislocations, night pain, and activity limits.

Choice and control

• Choose a surgeon with Bankart repair experience (arthroscopic/open, capsular shift).
• Plan surgery around school, competitive seasons, or work commitments.

Peace of mind

• Know exactly who will operate, when it will happen, and the detailed plan (anchor type/number, capsular tightening, rehab milestones).
• Clear timelines ease anxiety and help families, coaches, and employers coordinate support.

Preventing further decline

• Function and quality of life: Limits months of pain, apprehension, and “giving-way” that restrict lifting, sport, and sleep.
• Joint health: Repeated dislocations can damage cartilage and bone (Hill-Sachs, glenoid bone loss); timely stabilization can curb cumulative damage.
• Surgical complexity: Ongoing episodes may require more complex procedures later (bone grafts like Latarjet).
• Mental load: Shortens time living with uncertainty, restricted activities, and fear of the next dislocation.

1. ‍Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that surgery is needed.
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2. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in Bankart surgery.
   • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
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3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

Surgery takes about 60–90 minutes for most arthroscopic Bankart repairs. Plan on several hours for check-in, anesthesia, and wake-up before going home.

Basic steps

• Check-in and plan
  • You meet the team, review imaging, and the surgeon marks the shoulder.
• Anesthesia
  • You go to sleep (general anesthesia). Many patients also get a nerve block to keep the arm numb afterward.
• Position and prep
  • You’re positioned safely (beach-chair or lateral). The skin is cleaned and draped sterile.
• Camera in
  • Small poke-hole incisions are made. A pencil-thin camera (arthroscope) goes into the joint to see the torn labrum.
• Clean and prepare
  • The torn edge of the labrum and the socket rim are gently cleaned so the tissue can reattach.
• Anchors placed
  • Tiny anchors are inserted into the front-bottom rim of the socket. Each anchor has sutures attached.
• Reattach the labrum
  • Sutures are passed through the labrum and tied, pulling it back to the bone to recreate the “bumper.” The capsule may be tightened (capsular shift) for extra stability.
• Final check and close
  • The surgeon tests stability and motion, then closes the small incisions and applies a dressing and sling.
• Wake-up and instructions
  • You recover, get simple at-home instructions (sling use and early movement), and usually go home the same day.

Your exact plan comes from your surgeon and can vary. Take rehab seriously—the more consistent you are, the better your outcome.

What to expect after Bankart surgery (shoulder instability repair)

Week 1

• Reality check: soreness, swelling, stiffness, tough sleep.
• Goals: control pain/swelling, protect the repair, start safe motion.
• Activities: wear the sling as directed, ice, keep the incision clean/dry, move fingers/wrist/elbow, gentle pendulums if cleared. A helper is useful for meals/meds/shirts.

Weeks 2–4

• Still annoying but improving.
• Goals: gradually restore pain-free range of motion (ROM) within limits; stay safe in the sling.
• Activities: regular physio; passive to assisted ROM (forward elevation and external rotation to set limits); scapular setting; light tasks at waist level. No lifting or sudden reaches.

Weeks 5–12

• The work phase.
• Goals: near-full ROM by ~8–10 weeks (per protocol); begin strength.
• Activities: wean from sling (as cleared); rotator cuff and scapular strengthening, posture work, gentle resistance bands; controlled use below shoulder height.

Weeks 13–24

• Building strength and confidence.
• Goals: full ROM, better strength/endurance, stable shoulder with everyday use.
• Activities: progress resistance, closed-chain work (wall/plank variations), coordination and sport-prep drills (no contact yet).

Months 6–9

• Return-to-sport phase (timing varies).
• Goals: power, endurance, and trust in the shoulder.
• Activities: sport-specific drills; gradual return to overhead work or contact only when cleared.

Red flags anytime

• Fever, increasing redness/drainage, calf pain/swelling, chest pain/shortness of breath, new numbness/weakness, or a feeling of re-dislocation—contact your care team.

Bankart replacement is a major surgery. Private clinics in Canada typically charge $8,000 to $17,000.

In the United States, the average cost is CA$26,000.

Costs vary so much because of location, surgeon experience, facility type, scope of potential treatments, complexity of the issue, and included services (some clinics offer all-inclusive, while others charge separately for anesthesia, followup care, etc.).

What’s included

• Surgeon fee (and assistant if used) and anesthesiologist/general anesthesia
• Facility fees (OR time, nursing, supplies, equipment)
• Standard arthroscopic anchors/implants if part of the bundle
• Immediate post‑op recovery and routine early follow‑ups
• Initial shoulder sling and standard dressings (varies by clinic)

What’s usually not included

• Pre-op imaging (X‑rays, MRI/CT), lab work, and extra specialist consults
• Travel and accommodation (if surgery is out‑of‑province/state)
• Long‑term physiotherapy after the initial session(s)
• Prescription medications after discharge
• Specialized or custom implants beyond the standard bundle

Insurance and financing options

• Private health insurance: Some plans may cover part of the costs, such as hospital fees. It’s important to check your policy directly.
• Financing plans: Many clinics offer monthly payment options to help spread out the cost. Learn more about your financing options here.‍
• Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): This is a non-refundable credit that reduces your taxes when you pay out-of-pocket for eligible medical expenses. Learn more about how to claim METC for private surgeries.

Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going the private route. Here’s what to consider and the key questions to bring to your consultation.

What to look for

• Experience and volume
  
  • Ask how many shoulder instability surgeries they perform per year and the mix: arthroscopic Bankart, open Bankart, remplissage, Latarjet, revisions, contact vs overhead athletes.
• Credentials and training‍
  
  • Confirm licensure with the provincial college (e.g., CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC, CPSA in Alberta).
  • Look for FRCSC-certified orthopaedic surgeons with fellowship training inshoulder/elbow or sports medicine and specific instability expertise.‍
• Safety‍
  
  • Request 12–24 month data: infection, nerve complications, postoperative stiffness, recurrent instability/re-dislocation, unplanned return to OR, readmissions.
  • Ask for recurrence and return-to-sport (RTS) rates stratified by risk profile (age <25, collision/contact sports, hyperlaxity, bone loss).
• ‍Technique and anesthesia‍‍
  
  • How they assess glenoid and humeral head bone loss (on-track/off-track). When do they add remplissage or switch to Latarjet?
  • Anchor type and number, capsular plication strategy, management of ALPSA/HAGL lesions, biceps pathology (tenodesis vs leave), plan for engaging Hill-Sachs lesions.‍
• Facility accreditation‍
  
  • Make sure the clinic is accredited by national bodies such as Accreditation Canada or the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (CAAASF).‍
• Rehab integration‍
  
  • Access to shoulder-savvy physiotherapy, clear phased protocol, and communication with your local therapist if you’re traveling.

Questions to ask during your Bankart surgery consultation

Surgeon and surgery plan

• How many arthroscopic Bankart repairs (and revisions) do you perform yearly? What are your recurrence and RTS rates in the last 12–24 months?
• Based on my imaging, am I an on-track or off-track lesion? Do I need remplissage or a bone-block procedure instead of Bankart?
• How many anchors do you typically use and where? Will you perform capsular shift/plication? How do you address ALPSA/HAGL if present?
• What are your rates of stiffness, nerve injury, infection, and re-operation?
• Anesthesia plan (interscalene block + sedation vs general) and multimodal pain strategy.
• Is this same-day outpatient? Any chance of overnight stay?

Recovery and aftercare

• Timeline to: sling wean, full ROM goals, start strengthening, non-contact training, return to contact/overhead sports.
• Early movement precautions (ER/abduction limits) and duration.
• Physiotherapy: frequency/duration; do you provide a written protocol and milestones? Will you coordinate with my local PT?
• Red flags that should prompt a call/ER visit (fever, drainage, calf pain/swelling, shortness of breath, numbness/weakness).
• Who is my post-op contact (direct phone/email)? Typical response time? How many follow-ups are included and when?

Costs and logistics

• What exactly is included in my quote (surgeon, anesthesiologist, facility fees, anchors/implants, nerve block, sling, immediate post-op care, scheduled follow-ups)?
• What could add cost (extra anchors beyond a standard bundle, remplissage, biceps procedures, unexpected imaging, longer OR time, complications/re-operations)?
• How do you handle consent and pricing if intra-op findings require additional procedures (e.g., remplissage) or conversion to bone-block?
• If I’m traveling from another province, which follow-ups can be virtual? Will I receive the operative note, arthroscopy images, and the rehab plan for my local care team?