Long-Term Results of the Latarjet Procedure for the Treatment of Anterior Instability of the Shoulder*

Background: Long-term results of the arthroscopic Bankart repair in patients older than 40 years are unknown and may be favorable in terms of postoperative glenohumeral arthritis as opposed to the long-term results of the open Latarjet procedure in patients older than 40 years. Purpose: To analyze our long-term results of the arthroscopic Bankart repair for recurrent anterior shoulder instability in patients older than 40 years of age and to compare these results with previously published long-term results of the Latarjet procedure in a cohort of similar age. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 35 consecutive patients (36 shoulders) with a mean age of 47 years (range, 40-69) at time of the arthroscopic Bankart repair were studied at a mean 13.2 years (range, 8-18) after surgery. Clinical and radiographic results were then compared with those of our previous study of 39 consecutive patients (40 shoulders) of a same age group who had been treated for the same pathology with an open Latarjet procedure. Results: Six shoulders (17%) sustained a recurrent shoulder dislocation after a mean 5.3 years; subluxation occurred in 3 shoulders (8%); and apprehension persisted in 3 shoulders (8%). Revision surgery was performed in 8 patients (22%): 2 Bankart and 6 open Latarjet. The relative preoperative Constant score and Subjective Shoulder Value were significantly improved ( P < .001) at final follow-up. Arthropathy of stabilization was advanced in the shoulders of 16 patients (47%) and had progressed by at least 2 grades in 21 patients (62%). There were significantly higher rates of redislocation and subluxation when compared with the open Latarjet procedure (9 vs 3; P = .037), and the mean final Subjective Shoulder Value was significantly lower in the Bankart group (86% vs 91%; P = .011). There were no significant differences in final advanced arthropathy (16 vs 14; P = .334) and revision rates (8 vs 7; P = .409) when compared with the Latarjet procedure. Conclusion: Arthroscopic Bankart repair for recurrent anterior shoulder instability in patients older than 40 years was associated with reliable pain relief and patient satisfaction similar to that after the open Latarjet procedure. Restoration of stability was significantly less successful and development of arthropathy no better than the open Latarjet procedure in patients older than 40 years.

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Long-term Results of the Open Latarjet Procedure for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability in Patients Older Than 40 Years

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546519872501 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (13) ◽

pp. 3057-3064 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Lukas Ernstbrunner ◽

Lara Wartmann ◽

Stefan M. Zimmermann ◽

Pascal Schenk ◽

Christian Gerber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Shoulder Instability ◽

Older Age ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Anterior Shoulder Instability ◽

Latarjet Procedure ◽

Age At Surgery ◽

Dislocation Arthropathy ◽

Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability

Background: Subgroup analyses of the Latarjet procedure have suggested that age over 40 years is a risk factor for dislocation arthropathy. Purpose: To analyze long-term results of the open Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation in patients at least 40 years of age. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 39 consecutive patients (40 shoulders) with a mean age of 48 years (range, 40-66 years) at surgery were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 11.0 years (range, 8-16 years). Of these, 15 patients (38%) had undergone previous soft tissue stabilization surgery. Long-term results were assessed clinically and radiographically, including computed tomography scanning at final follow-up. Results: No recurrence of dislocation was noted. Subluxation had occurred in 3 patients (8%), and apprehension persisted in 5 patients (13%). The total Walch-Duplay score averaged 89 points at the final follow-up, and the mean Subjective Shoulder Value (60%-91%) had improved significantly ( P < .001). In total, 36 patients rated their result as excellent, 3 as good. Further, 6 patients (15%) underwent joint-preserving reoperation, and 1 patient (3%) had reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for severe dislocation arthropathy. Dislocation arthropathy was severe in 14 patients (37%) and had progressed by at least 2 grades in 17 patients (45%). Patients with severe dislocation arthropathy had already shown degenerative changes preoperatively as opposed to those who ultimately had no or moderate dislocation arthropathy (n = 24) ( P < .001). Progression of dislocation arthropathy was associated with lateral (>1 mm) graft positioning ( P < .001) and older age at surgery ( r = 0.58; P < .001). Conclusion: The open Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability in patients older than 40 years reliably restores stability and leads to high patient satisfaction. This procedure is, however, associated with a substantial rate of advanced but clinically mild symptomatic dislocation arthropathy, which is associated with the degree of preoperative joint degeneration, older age at surgery, and lateral graft placement.

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