Background Anterior traumatic shoulder dislocation is very common among soldiers or any young population following injury, which is invariably treated by closed reduction. The dislocation when treated nonsurgically has a 71% high rate of recurrence. There is not much data available on the rate of recurrence when primary dislocation (first time) was treated by arthroscopic Bankart repair and in those who have recurrent (multiple) dislocations before surgery. Aim This study aims to report the postoperative recurrence rate in soldiers with first-time dislocation versus those with recurrent dislocations before surgery. Study design The present study is a level IV case series treatment study. Methods In this prospective study, 143 soldiers were included, of which 82 patients had first-time dislocation (F group) and 61 patients had recurrent dislocation before surgery (R group). The patients were evaluated and followed up for over three years. Nonabsorbable PEEK suture anchors (Olean Meditech, India) were used for arthroscopic Bankart repair. The recurrence rates, Rowe scores, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, subjective shoulder values (SSVs), and satisfaction were compared. We also used the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score for evaluation. The scores were recorded preoperatively and at three-year follow-up. The range of motion, postoperative function, recurrence rates, and return to pre-injury state was evaluated. Results A total of 143 patients were included, providing 97.3% follow-up at an average of 36 months. The postoperative recurrence rate was 19.7% in the F group and 58.3% in the R group (P < 0.(X)1). The odds of postoperative recurrence were five times higher in the recurrent dislocation group (odds ratio (OR): 5.23). Conclusion Patients who underwent repair after first-time dislocation show a lower postoperative recurrence rate as compared with those who had multiple dislocations before surgery. It is prudent to advise early repair even after the first dislocation especially in young active soldiers to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence.
