Shoulder Structure and Function Following the Modified Latarjet Procedure: A Clinical and Radiological Review

Background To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the modified Latarjet procedure for traumatic, antero-inferior glenohumeral joint instability. Methods Case series were used with a mean follow-up of 21.3 months for clinical and radiological review and 47.2 months for recurrent instability. Shoulder function was evaluated by clinical examination and validated shoulder scales: Western Ontario Shoulder Stability Index (WOSI), Melbourne Instability Shoulder Score (MISS) and l'Insalata Shoulder Questionnaire. Shoulder structure was evaluated by computed tomography. Results Thirty-two cases were enrolled (mean age 27.0 years). One patient reported a redislocation during the follow-up period. Clinical examination revealed that the median external rotation (at 0° and 90° abduction) was reduced on the operative side by 7.5° (p   0.05). Radiological evaluation revealed a mean (SD) pre-operative glenoid surface area loss of 169.5 (48.5) mm2 reconstituted surgically by a bone block of 225.4 (73.8) mm2. Subscapularis muscle bulk was reduced on the operative side, above the level of the muscle split (p < 0.05). Conclusions The Latarjet procedure reliably restores lost glenoid surface area, shoulder stability, strength and function. A small loss of external rotation is expected and related to altered subscapularis anatomy.