Latarjet Procedure For Shoulder Instability

The Latarjet procedure, or a coracoid transfer procedure, is sometimes used to treat shoulder instability.

This procedure is used when the glenoid bone has been worn down and can no longer support the ball of the shoulder joint. The procedure can also be used for patients who have already had another surgery on the shoulder that failed.

The long-term results of the Latarjet procedure are often very good and the recurrence rate of another dislocation is low.

However, there is the risk of complications with the Latarjet procedure, including infection, failure of the bone to heal, need for another surgery to remove the screws, loss of shoulder motion and nerve injury leading to numbness or weakness.

What happens during surgery?

The surgery is done under general anesthesia. Your care team will inject numbing medicine around the nerves of the shoulder to minimize pain after the surgery.

The surgery will take 2 hours to perform, and a 4-inch incision is used over the front of the shoulder. The coracoid bone is moved from its normal location on the front of the shoulder over to the front of the shoulder joint and fixed in place with two screws.

What is the recovery process?

For the first six weeks after the surgery, the repair must be protected by not engaging the biceps muscle or the shoulder muscles. A sling must be worn for 6 weeks to protect the repair.

After 6 weeks, the shoulder can be used for light lifting.

After 10 weeks, a strengthening program can start. Once an x-ray confirms the coracoid bone has healed, the shoulder can be used for normal activity. For athletes, contact sports can be started as soon as the strength in the shoulder is back to normal.

Recovery Timeline

• First 6 weeks: You will be in a sling to protect your repair. You can use a keyboard if you pull the keyboard into your lap and you don't reach with the arm. You will take the sling off to shower and move your elbow a few times a day. No reaching lifting or pulling with the arm.
• 6 weeks: You will stop using the sling and start a stretching program with physical therapy. The first goal is to regain your motion in your shoulder before you start a strengthening program.
• 10 weeks: You will start a strengthening program with your therapist and you will learn the precautions that you must take to protect your repair.
• 4 months: You will be able to return to sports like golf and biking.
• 6 months: You will be able to return to contact sports if your strength in the arm is equal to the other side. You can also return to swimming and throwing sports at this time.