Functional Outcome of the Latarjet Procedure in Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: A Prospective Observational Study from Central India

Abstract

Background: Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation is a disabling condition predominantly affecting young, active adults. In patients with significant glenoid bone loss and engaging Hill-Sachs lesions, isolated soft-tissue repair carries high failure rates. The Latarjet procedure addresses instability through triple stabilization: bony augmentation, the conjoint-tendon sling, and capsular reinforcement. Evidence from India — particularly from non-athletic, late-presenting cohorts — remains limited.
Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 30 patients undergoing the open Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation at a tertiary centre in central India over 24 months. Preoperative characteristics including glenoid bone loss (mean 22.79 ± 4.24%), number of dislocations, and Hill-Sachs engagement were documented. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Rowe score and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; pain was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Radiological outcomes — graft position, graft union, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis (Samilson-Prieto classification) — baseline post-operative radiological baseline for long-term OA tracking.
Results: The mean age was 36.27 ± 11.17 years; 80% of patients had more than five prior dislocations. Mean Rowe score improved from 40.47 ± 8.66 to 89.23 ± 4.83 (mean improvement 48.77 points, p <0.001). Mean ASES score improved from 47.70 ± 8.17 to 91.77 ± 3.38 (improvement 44.07 points, p <0.001). Pain VAS decreased from 7.77 to 0.93 (p <0.001). All patients achieved good-to-excellent Rowe outcomes (excellent 53.3%, good 46.7%). Complete graft union was achieved in 76.7% and partial union in 23.3% at six months. Complications were infrequent (10%), and no recurrent dislocation or neurovascular injury was recorded. Complications like superficial wound infection, transient musculocutaneous neuropraxia, or screw prominence/backout were reported in 3 patients.
Conclusion: The Latarjet procedure yields excellent short-term functional outcomes and reliable stability in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation, including those with heavy preoperative instability burden and substantial glenoid bone loss. Outcomes were consistent across subgroups defined by sex, occupation, Hill-Sachs engagement status, and bone loss severity, affirming the procedure’s robustness in an Indian tertiary-care setting.