LATARJET PROCEDURE
- Method
- Open or arthroscopically assisted stabilisation by bone transfer
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Recovery time
- 3 to 6 months
What is the Latarjet procedure?
The Latarjet procedure is a surgical method of stabilising the shoulder in anterior instability with considerable loss of bone at the socket of the joint (the glenoid), or after a failed Bankart repair. Part of the coracoid process is transferred, together with the tendon attached to it (the coracobrachialis and the short head of the biceps), to the front edge of the glenoid.
This bony reinforcement prevents further dislocations through a stabilising sling effect and through a bony block against the humeral head slipping out. The operation can be carried out open or with arthroscopic assistance.
Indications for the Latarjet procedure
- Recurrent anterior dislocations of the shoulder with loss of glenoid bone
- Failure of previous soft-tissue operations (for instance a Bankart repair)
- Contact sports with a high risk of dislocation
- Bony Bankart or Hill-Sachs lesions with a risk of instability
How the operation proceeds
- Operation under general anaesthetic, usually lying on the back or in the beach-chair position
- Preparation of the coracoid process and division at its base
- Fixation of the bone transfer with screws at the front edge of the glenoid
- Repositioning of the tendon attachments for additional dynamic stabilisation
- Checking movement and stability during the operation
Rehabilitation after the Latarjet procedure
Phase I (0-3 weeks): immobilisation
- Wearing an abduction orthosis (day and night)
- Passive movement only, under physiotherapy guidance
- No external rotation beyond 0°
- Cooling, pain medication, thrombosis prophylaxis
Phase II (4-6 weeks): beginning mobilisation
- Reducing use of the orthosis during the day
- Active-assisted mobilisation exercises
- Beginning to strengthen the rotator cuff and the shoulder muscles
- Movement cleared to 90° of abduction and flexion
Phase III (from week 7): building up muscle & return to sport
- Working towards complete freedom of movement
- Targeted build-up of the shoulder muscles
- Sport-specific loading from month 4-6
- Contact or overhead sport from month 6-9 at the earliest
Our Latarjet specialists
Experienced specialists for the Latarjet procedure and shoulder surgery
