Isokinetic evaluation of the shoulder and elbow after Latarjet procedure

The Latarjet procedure changes the anatomy of the shoulder, moving the coracoid process distally through an incision in the subscapularis muscle. Some authors have studied the effect of this surgery on shoulder rotator strength. Our hypothesis is that the Latarjet procedure decreases elbow supination and flexion strength.

A retrospective case series, evaluating patients submitted to the Latarjet procedure between May 2013 and June 2017. Movements of the elbow (supination, pronation, flexion and extension) and shoulder (internal and external rotation) were evaluated bilaterally using a Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, New York) in concentric/concentric mode.

We evaluated 20 patients with an average follow-up of 36 months. In the elbow, we observed a 9.1% decrease in supination strength at a speed of 60°/s (p=0.044), without statistical difference at 120°/s (p=0.570). In the shoulder, there was a 13.5% decrease in external rotation strength at 60°/s and 4.5% at 180°/s (p=0.009 and p=0.040, respectively). The other movements did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences.

After the Latarjet procedure, the supination strength at 60°/s was decreased, as was the external rotation strength of the shoulder at 60°/s and 180°/s. We did not observe any reduction in strength for shoulder flexion or internal shoulder rotation.

IV, case series.