Latarjet Procedure for Shoulder Instability

Latarjet procedure or also known as Latarjet-Bristow is a treatment conducted for shoulder instability. It involves the surgical transfer of a tendon from the arm to the shoulder. A subacromial decompression may also be performed simultaneously.

Latarjet is a technique performed to relieve pain and restore shoulder function. The procedure is performed using minimally invasive techniques. The humerus bone is repositioned in the shoulder socket, and the glenoid bone (located in the shoulder socket) is resurfaced to restore normal function.

How Latarjet treatment procedure is performed?

The Latarjet procedure is a surgical option for patients with shoulder impingement, a standardized clinical term for the painful condition in which the tendon of the long head of the muscle floats within the narrow shoulder space. The tendon of the long head of the muscle attaches to the posterior capsule of the shoulder, and the tendon itself curls in on itself as it inserts on the shoulder. When the tendon is irritated or impinged, the patient will experience pain.

People who experience severe shoulder dislocations

Or who have experienced bone loss due to fracture

A fracture in the glenoid

The procedure involves the removal or repositioning of the section of the coracoid attached to the muscles and tendons.

How Latarjet procedure is performed?

Latarjet procedure is the preferred treatment method.

The Latarjet procedure is performed to repair the damaged shoulder by administering general anaesthesia. An incision is made in front of the shoulder (shoulder blade).

Then, the coracoid process takes place to cut a piece of coracoid bone attached to the conjoined tendon.

The bone is moved in the area of the glenoid bone (front of the glenoid socket). A piece of the bone graft is be placed using screws into your shoulder blade.

The coracoid placed blocks bone as it attached through the muscles and the shoulder blade, eventually helping in restoring shoulder stability and providing muscle-sling at the front.

What would be the post-recovery care?

After the procedure, rehabilitation will begin to promote the healing process.

You may have to remain in the hospital overnight.

To relieve the pain, you may be given pain medications.

Keep the surgical wound dry. You may ask to wear the sling for a few weeks while sleeping.

Slight physical therapy exercises guided by the physiotherapist.

Stay away from heavy lifting, sports activities, and any physical workouts associated with hand/shoulder.

Risks

Every surgical procedure has some side effects post-surgery, so as the Latarjet procedure. Strictly following a doctor's advice for post-operative care limits risk and complications. Some of the risks that occur are as follows:

Infection

Bleeding (Hematoma)

Stiffness or loss of external rotation

Bone block non-union

Recurrence of instability (rare)

Who can perform the Latarjet procedure?

A highly trained and experienced joint replacement surgeon awarded with a fellowship in joint replacement and degenerative surgeries can perform the Latarjet procedure. Board-certified qualified surgeons are expertise in surgical techniques to correct the stability deficit of shoulder joints.

Dr Nithin Vadlamudi is a widely known specialized Latarjet surgeon who has restored various shoulder instabilities for many patients with a success rate of over 95%.

Visit VNC Orthopaedic Clinic for more details.