Paper 10: Return-to-Play Following Latarjet Procedure in Young Contact Athletes

OBJECTIVES: Young athletes that play a contact sport are susceptible to anterior glenohumeral instability due to high-velocity impacts and repetitive dislocations. Few studies have examined return-to play and patient outcomes following Latarjet procedure in this patient population. The objective of this study was to investigate postoperative return to contact sports in athletes undergoing the Latarjet procedure for shoulder instability. METHODS: 67 consecutive contact athletes (71 shoulders), age ≤35, that underwent Latarjet procedure for recurrent shoulder instability between 1/1/2018 and 3/31/2021 were retrospectively identified. Demographic information, medical history, surgical history, number of dislocations prior to surgery, and post-operative complications up to 6 months after surgery were reviewed. 42 patients were interviewed with minimum follow-up of 12 months. Outcomes evaluated include return to play, competition level, patient satisfaction, and patient-reported outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Score, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Mean age at time of surgery for the total cohort was 19.7 years. 19/67 (28.3%) of patients had prior shoulder surgery, most commonly arthroscopic stabilization. On average, patients had 24.2 frank dislocations (SD 39.1) prior to undergoing Latarjet procedure. 8/67 (11.9%) of patients experienced unresolved pain or stiffness six months after surgery and 2/67 (2.9%) required re-operation after Latarjet. Only one patient experienced hardware failure. 42 patients (63%) were interviewed with mean follow-up of 26.7 months, of which 20 played football. 14/42 (33%) athletes competed at the collegiate level, and 23/42 (55%) at the high school level at the time of surgery. 33/42 patients (78.6%) returned to sport, of which 29/33 (88%) returned to playing at the same competition level; 12/20 (60%) of football players returned to sport. 3/42 (7%) reported recurrent dislocation. Mean ASES score was 91.7, DASH score 6.1, and visual analog scale 4. 38/42 (90%) patients reported improvement in quality of life after undergoing Latarjet procedure for shoulder instability. CONCLUSIONS: The Latarjet procedure allows young contact athletes with shoulder instability to return to competitive play at strong rates. Although there is high patient satisfaction with the Latarjet procedure, recurrent instability and unresolved pain and stiffness are significant post-operative complications.