Latarjet Repair for Shoulder Dislocation

Investigations done include X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans of the shoulder.

The treatment depends on the following-

• number of times the shoulder joint has dislocated
• severity of injury causing shoulder dislocation
• Underlying disease-causing shoulder dislocation, which is diagnosed in MRI and clinical examination
• condition of structures around the shoulder joint, like the socket or ball of the joint, ligaments, and tendons around the joint

Treatment includes:

• Rest; don’t try to move your joints.
• Cold packs
• Painkillers can be used.
• Contact a surgeon in an emergency at the earliest.

In patients of young age with more than one episode of shoulder dislocation, surgery is required. Since the chances of another shoulder dislocation increase with further dislocations. So, if a patient has a first episode of shoulder dislocation, the chances of getting another one increase by 70–75% for those under the age of 20, 30–50% for those between the ages of 20 and 30, and 25% for those over the age of 50.

Yes, in patients of old age with low-impact activities or patients who require a low-activity lifestyle, shoulder dislocation can be treated without surgery. But the ultimate decision has to be taken in consultation with the surgeon.

Patients who are of young age and patients of any age who have an active lifestyle and a heavy-duty job will require surgery after proper examination and consultation with the surgeon.

It depends on the number of dislocations the patient has. If dislocation occurs more than once, chances of healing reduce on their own.

• Rest
• Ice packing
• Shoulder immobilization
• Pain killers
• Physiotherapy after 3 weeks

• The chances of future dislocation will increase.
• The patient will not feel comfortable and will lose confidence in performing heavy activities or playing sports.
• If shoulder dislocation keeps occurring, bone loss of the socket or glenoid will occur, and that will make future treatment more difficult.

• The latarjet procedure or repair is done in cases of shoulder dislocation that have a bone defect in the glenoid bone or socket of the shoulder joint.
• A defect in the bone of the shoulder joint occurs in cases where multiple dislocations have occurred.
• In cases where this defect is greater than 20%–30%, a latarjet procedure is done, which is measured on a CT scan.

• It involves the repair of the socket or glenoid of the shoulder joint itself.
• Latarjet repair or procedure involves taking a bone graft from the patient's own body and placing it in front of the socket to repair the socket or glenoid bone.
• It involves using the patient's own coracoid, which is present in front of the scapula bone, as a bone graft.  
• The graft is secured in place with screws.

The latest procedure used in recurrent shoulder dislocations with bone defects is the Mini Open Latarjet Procedure. This involves the use of a minimum cut or incision to open the shoulder joint, where the coracoid (bone graft) is exposed and removed using a saw. This coracoid with muscle attached is placed in the bone defect of the socket, or glenoid defect, and fixed using two screws.

Usually, it depends on the medical condition of the patient; if the patient is not suffering from any disease before surgery, the hospital stay is for 1-2 days.

You can take a shower within 2–3 days after the Latarjet procedure or repair surgery. Usually, a waterproof dressing is applied to the wound, after which the patient can take a shower. But to take a bath or swim, patients will need 4-6 weeks. The patient has to keep the wound dry and avoid using hot water, as it increases swelling.

You can usually drive after a Latarjet procedure or repair after 4-6 weeks. However, it must be discussed with a surgeon and a physiotherapist.

A patient will have to use a sling after a Latarjet procedure or repair for 2-4 weeks. After which, the patient will have to follow a regular physiotherapy routine for several weeks. Patients can start their low impact activities after 4-6 weeks, like driving a car and doing their routine activities. Complete recovery for patients will take 3–4 months.

Usually, if patients’ office work involves desk work and no heavy work activities, they can join the office in 3–6 weeks. If it’s a field job that requires heavy work activities, it may take 3–4 months.

Usually, after the Latarjet procedure or repair is done, the patient will require physiotherapy for 3-6 months, which can be done by the patient himself after a few weeks.

It depends on the patient's recovery course after the Latarjet procedure or repair surgery, but usually patients can get back to sports in a few months. Initially, some surgeons started to decrease recovery duration to 3–4 months, but it was observed in various studies that the chances of failure increased. We follow the international standard of proper rehabilitation and advise our patients to return to sports after 5–6 months of proper physical training. We believe we should follow the latest, best, and most thoroughly studied technique and provide results comparable to international standards.

After the mini-open latarjet procedure or repair is done, complications have decreased to a greater extent, but they can still occur. This includes infection, nerve injury, stiffness of the shoulder, implant failure, and redislocation.

It depends on the hospital category that patients select and the kind of implant discussed. On Simpainortho.com, we have tried to reduce the cost of surgery and hospital expenses and included complete after-surgery services that are required by patients after surgery because we know treatment doesn’t end at the discharge of the patient. To ensure the quick recovery of patients at simpainortho.com, we believe that a patient requires expert care in the most comfortable environment for him until he is able to join routine activities. So, we have made different packages for different patients according to their needs, and that too at the most affordable prices.

Yes, most insurance plans have included Latarjet procedures or repair surgeries.