Modified Latarjet Without Capsulolabral Repair in Rugby Players With Recurrent Anterior Glenohumeral Instability and Significant Glenoid Bone Loss.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of recurrent anterior shoulder instability with significant glenoid bone loss in high-demand collision athletes remains a challenge.

PURPOSE: To analyze the time to return to sport, clinical outcomes, and recurrences following a modified Latarjet procedure without capsulolabral repair in rugby players with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and significant glenoid bone loss.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: Between June 2008 and June 2015, 50 competitive rugby players (practice >2 times per week and competition during weekends) with recurrent anterior shoulder instability underwent operation with the modified congruent arc Latarjet procedure without capsulolabral repair in our institution. Cases included 18 primary repairs and 32 revisions. Return to sports, range of motion (ROM), the Rowe score, a visual analog scale for pain in sport activity (VAS), and the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System (ASOSS) were used to assess functional outcomes. Recurrences were also evaluated. The postoperative bone block position and consolidation were assessed with computed tomography. The final analysis included 49 shoulders in 48 patients (31 revision cases).

RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 48 months (range, 24-108 months) and the mean age at the time of operation was 22.8 years (range, 17-35 years). Forty-five patients (93.7%) returned to playing rugby, all at their preinjury level of play. No significant difference in shoulder ROM was found between preoperative and postoperative results. The Rowe, VAS, and ASOSS scores showed statistically significant improvement after operation ( P < .001). The Rowe score increased from a mean of 39.5 points preoperatively to 94 points postoperatively ( P < .01). The VAS score decreased from 3.6 points preoperatively to 1.2 points postoperatively ( P < .01). The ASOSS score improved significantly from a mean of 44 points preoperatively to 89.5 points postoperatively ( P < .01). No recurrence of shoulder dislocation or subluxation was noted. The bone block healed in 43 shoulders (88%).

CONCLUSION: In rugby players with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and significant glenoid bone loss, the modified Latarjet procedure without capsulolabral repair produced excellent functional outcomes, with most athletes returning to rugby at their preinjury level of play without recurrences.