FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS BY THE LATARJET PROCEDURE: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF 30 PATIENTS

Background: Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations, particularly those associated with significant glenoid bone loss, pose a clinical challenge due to their high recurrence rates and functional impairment. The Latarjet procedure, involving coracoid transfer to the anterior glenoid rim, has gained popularity for its dual mechanical and dynamic stabilizing effects. Aim: This prospective observational study was conducted to assess the functional outcome, pain relief, and complication profile of the Latarjet procedure in patients with recurrent shoulder dislocations and significant glenoid bone defects. Methods: Thirty patients between 18 and 45 years of age with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations and glenoid bone loss >20% were enrolled. The study was conducted at a tertiary care center over 26 months, with a 12-month postoperative follow-up. Functional assessment included the ROWE score, quickDASH score, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and range-of-motion (ROM) analysis. Results: Postoperative evaluations revealed a notable improvement in all outcome parameters. At 12 months, 43% of patients achieved an Excellent ROWE score. The quickDASH score improved from a mean of 51.2 preoperatively to 14.2, while VAS scores dropped significantly from 7.5 to 1.2. ROM in abduction and external rotation also improved substantially. The complication rate was minimal (6.7%), with isolated instances of graft non-union and subluxation. Conclusion: The Latarjet procedure significantly enhances functional outcomes and restores shoulder stability in patients with recurrent dislocations and substantial glenoid bone loss. These findings support the adoption of the Latarjet technique as a reliable treatment strategy, particularly in younger, active patients with recurrent instability.