Sling vs Nothing After Latarjet Procedure

The aim of this study is to compare rehabilitation with the wearing of a sling, to rehabilitation without any immobilization after Latarjet procedure for treatment of anterior shoulder instability. Ultimately, the goal would be to offer to patients a simplified rehabilitation management, with a faster recovery, less pain and a quicker return to activities of daily living, work and sport.

As primary outcome, investigators will evaluate if the Rowe score is superior without postoperative immobilization (without a sling during the first 3 weeks) at 6 months after surgery compared to sling wearing.

Secondary outcomes include radiological criteria (X-rays and computed tomography (CT) at 6 months for bony union), return to sport, work absenteeism, other complication rate (especially redislocation), and the undermentioned subjective and clinical scores before surgery and at 1.5, 6 and 12 postoperative months.

All patients will be assessed with commonly used subjective scores in the form of self-administered questionnaires. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a widely used single-item test where a patient rates pain intensity between 0 and 10. This scale is useful for patient preoperative and postoperative monitoring and has also been correlated with patient pain, anxiety and apprehension. Patient satisfaction (are patients satisfied, yes/no) will be assessed as well. Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) is a single-question test where a patient is asked to rate his overall shoulder function as a percentage of normal shoulder. It is a quick and easily administered score that has also been validated for various shoulder disabilities, such as instability.

The following clinical scores will be analyzed as well Rowe score for instability is a three-item test with four choices each, measuring shoulder function, stability, and motion. The final result is converted into a value between 0 and 100. These scores have been specifically developed for shoulder instability.

Except for VAS, higher results mean higher function. ROM will be determined using a Vicon motion capture system (Vicon, Oxford Metrics, Oxford, UK) consisting of six cameras sampling at 120 Hz already available in our facility.

Inclusion criteria

• all patients over 18 years old who have an anterior shoulder instability with one of the following criteria: an anterior glenoid bone defect > 20%, contact athlete or patients with failed Bankart repair-either open or arthroscopic will be considered eligible.

Exclusion criteria

• We exclude patients with a subscapularis tear, other trauma of the involved upper extremity (e.g. associated scapular or clavicular fractures, acromioclavicular dislocation), pre-operative stiffness, pre-operative sign of dislocation on standard X-ray, CT, CT arthrogram, MRI or MRA, contra-indication to CT (i.e pregnancy), and an inability to follow properly post-surgery recommendations.