Arthroscopic Latarjet procedure does not lead to loss of clinically significant external rotation at 0° and 90° of shoulder abduction

BACKGROUND: Several reports have shown that shoulder stabilizing procedures lead to postoperative external rotation (ER) deficits. However, no study on arthroscopic Latarjet procedures has investigated the effect on ER when the arm is abducted at 0° (ER(0)) and 90° (ER(90)). This study examined the relationship between the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure and the subsequent effect on ER(0) and ER(90). METHODS: Patients who underwent an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure from December 2015 to April 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative ER(0) and ER(90) values were obtained from the contralateral shoulder. ER(0) and ER(90) values from the operative side were collected at both 3 and 6 months postoperatively. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to assess the mean preoperative and postoperative values. RESULTS: Forty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean ER(0) for the 3- and 6-month time frames measured 44.2° and 54.6°, respectively. Mean ER(90) for the 3- and 6-month time frames measured 78.4° and 90.4°, respectively. Comparison to the contralateral arm at the 3-month follow-up period showed a deficit of 14.9° (P = .0001) and 17.2° (P = .0001) for ER(0) and ER(90), respectively. At the 6-month follow-up period, patients demonstrated an average decline in ER(0) and ER(90) of 4.57° (P = .063) and 5.11° (P = .008), respectively. CONCLUSION: A nominal deficit in ER occurred for both ER(0) and ER(90) status post arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. Despite loss of ER(90) at 6 months achieving statistical significance, the clinical impact is arguably inconsequential. Such limited loss of ER provides more information regarding bony procedures being a more definitive treatment for glenohumeral instability and the ability to restore native motion.