Ligament & Capsule Repair

The shoulder is one of the most movable joints in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. Because the bones provide little inherent stability to the shoulder joint, it is highly dependent on surrounding soft tissues such as capsule ligaments and the muscles surrounding the rotator cuff to hold the ball in place.

Shoulder instability can occur in people who regularly perform shoulder motions that stretch out the joint capsule. For example, gymnasts, pitchers, volleyball players and swimmers are at a high risk for shoulder instability. Your orthopedic surgeon may determine that a recurrent dislocating shoulder or shoulder separation is an injury severe enough to require surgery.

Repairing Ligament Injuries with Arthroscopic Surgery

Injuries where part of the ligaments and capsule of the shoulder are pulled away from the bone are called Bankhart lesions. Surgical techniques are aimed at fixing this problem and also at tightening up the ligaments of the shoulder that have been stretched or torn by the dislocation. Repairing the torn capsule and ligament back to the bone is called a Bankhart repair.

All of these procedures can be done with arthroscopic techniques. Orthopedic surgeons perform ligament and capsule repair through a tiny incision into which a small scope is inserted to observe the inside of the joint. Arthroscopic techniques involving the shoulder are relatively new and highly technical, and are best performed by a surgical team that performs this surgery often.

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Recovering from Arthroscopic Ligament Surgery

When your shoulder surgery is arthroscopic, the size of the surgical scar will be smaller and the amount of pain after the operation will be less. Rehabilitation will be quicker as well. The amount and type of movement that you will be allowed to do following surgery will depend on the procedure that was done. Usually, at least six weeks of recovery time are required.

In general, activities will be limited and gradually increased until the range-of-motion and strength in the repaired shoulder is equal to that of the other arm. In some cases, you may be able to return to light work within a few days. During your recovery period, you will be asked to conform to an exercise program set by the Hoag Orthopedic Institute physical therapy team and your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

At your first appointment, you’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor who will take the time to understand your injury, training demands, and performance goals. You'll have a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and any imaging or test results you bring. Next, your sports medicine specialist will perform a focused physical exam to assess strength, range of motion, and joint stability.
If additional insight is needed, advanced imaging, such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound, can be arranged on-site. Together, you’ll review the findings, explore treatment options, and decide on the next steps. Before you leave, our sports injury doctor will design a personalized treatment plan to maximize your recovery and return to your sport safely and confidently.
When you're ready to meet with an experienced sports medicine doctor at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, call (949) 890-0464 or complete our online request form. We’ll match you with the orthopedic sports medicine specialist best suited to your needs and help arrange any imaging or records in advance.
From your very first visit, you’ll have access to a dedicated team of sports medicine specialists and the latest diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options to get you back to your sport safely and with confidence.
Our award-winning team of orthopedic sports medicine specialists treats injuries ranging from sprains and tendonitis to complex ligament tears, fractures, and joint damage. HOI’s sports medicine doctors do not just treat an injury—they dig deeper to diagnose any underlying issues to get patients back to doing what they love sooner.
HOI sports medicine doctors start with non-surgical options whenever possible, including seamless access to imaging, physical therapy and performance specialists, bracing, activity modification, and image-guided injections to reduce pain and speed your healing.
When surgery is your best path forward, our orthopedic sports surgeons perform procedures such as arthroscopic ligament reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, cartilage restoration, and others.
Our sports medicine surgeons use the most advanced minimally invasive techniques designed to restore full function and support long-term performance while preserving the healthy surrounding tissues.
We customize your treatment to your sport and performance goals, helping you recover fully, protect against re-injury, and return to play with confidence.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists bring advanced expertise to diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or simply embrace an active lifestyle, our sports medicine specialists design your care around your performance goals and your long-term health. Unlike primary care sports medicine doctors who typically see just a small number of sports injuries, HOI’s sports medicine team only treat sports medicine injuries and conditions—day in and day out.
When you need surgery, our sports orthopedic surgeons use the most advanced technology and non-operative treatment options to achieve exceptional accuracy in repair and reconstruction to help safeguard healthy tissues, restore proper mechanics, and support a faster, more confident return to play.
From your first consultation through recovery, you’ll work with a team that understands the demands of your sport and is committed to getting you back to doing what you love—safely and at your highest level.

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