Contact sports are a common cause of shoulder dislocations
Recurrent shoulder dislocations can lead to bone loss requiring surgery
The Latarjet Procedure involves transferring bone in your shoulder
The Latarjet procedure is done for recurrent instability and for bone loss after dislocations
Recovery after a Latarjet procedure involves several stages and can take 3-6 months
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder Arthroscopy
What is a Latarjet Procedure?
Shoulder instability and dislocations, particularly if you have been experiencing recurrent dislocations, may require surgery. The most common reason for your shoulder to dislocate is an injury, such as during contact sports. For example, shoulder injuries are among the top five injuries during AFL. After a shoulder dislocation, the structures that hold the shoulder joint together, such as the labrum, capsule, cartilage and bone may become stretched or damaged. With recurrent dislocations these structures can be damaged further. The Latarjet procedure is aimed to stabilise your shoulder when other methods have failed, or when there is significant bone damage.
The Latarjet procedure is a surgical technique that involves transferring a small piece of bone from your shoulder blade called the coracoid, along with its attached tendons, to the front of the shoulder joint.
What are the benefits of the Latarjet Procedure?
There are several ways that the latarjet Procedure leads to increased stability of your shoulder. The two main benefits of are:
- Bone augmentation: The transferred bone increases the surface area of the shoulder joint, filling in the damaged area and imparting stability to your shoulder.
- Dynamic Stabilisation: The attached tendon acts like a sling, offering additional dynamic support, particularly during activities that would typically cause dislocation
Bone Loss After Shoulder Instability
Recurrent dislocations can lead to bone loss of the socket of your shoulder (glenoid)
Reverse Shoulder Replacement
The coracoid is transferred to socket (glenoid) where bone has been lost
Post-operative X-ray of a Latarjet Procedure
What are the Indications for a Latarjet Procedure?
The Latarjet procedure is particularly suited if there is significant bone loss in your shoulder socket (glenoid), typically more than 15-20%. It may also be needed if you continue to experience instability even after undergoing other surgical options like the arthroscopic Bankart repair.
What to expect after a shoulder replacement surgery?
Recovery after a shoulder replacement is variable from patient to patient. Below is a guide of what to expect after surgery. Your recovery time-frame may be different. Dr. Arthur Turow will discuss your particular circumstances and the recovery time-frames with you.
Hospital stay
Most shoulder patients have a nerve block after surgery, which covers pain for 12-36 hours. Once the block wears off, your nurse will start you on pain medication to keep you comfortable. You will need to stay in hospital for 1-2 days after surgery. A physiotherapist will typically review you after your surgery and will guide you through your recovery phases.
Stage 1 (0-6 weeks)
Protect the bone graft & prevent stiffness
- Your arms is placed in a sling
- You can start on early gentle, passive range-of-motion exercises guided by your physiotherapist
Stage 2 (6-12 weeks)
Increase Range of motion
- The sling is gradually weaned
- You start on active range of motion, avoiding abduction with concurrent external rotation
- Low-resistance strengthening is introduced
Stage 3 (3-6 Months)
Strengthening & Return to full activities
This stage focusses on strengthening and resistance is increased
You can return to swimming
Functional exercises are introduced to prepare for specific activities or sports, ensuring proper mechanics and stability.