Latarjet procedure without capsular repair produces favorable clinical results and avoids limitation in external rotation

Purpose This study aimed at analyzing the range of motion (ROM) and other clinical outcomes in patients with > 20% glenoid bone loss who underwent the Latarjet procedure with or without anterior capsule repair. Methods This retrospective study included 47 patients with > 20% glenoid bone loss who underwent the classic Latarjet procedure from 2016 to 2021. Of these, 25 did not undergo capsular repair (no-capsular-repair group; group I) whereas 22 patients did (capsular-repair group; group II). The Rowe score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Visual Analogue Scale, ROM, recurrence, and complications were evaluated before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery. A goniometer was used to measure the forward flexion and external rotation (arm adducted, 90° abducted) of both shoulders. The ROM deficit was measured as the difference from the contralateral healthy shoulder. Results The external rotation in arm adduction at 3 and 6 months after surgery showed significantly better results in group I than group II( p = 0.002 at 3 months; p = 0.005 at 6 months). The deficit in external rotation with arm adduction was also significantly lower in group I at 3 months ( p = 0.001) and 6 months ( p = 0.001) after surgery. However, external rotation with arm adduction at 12 months after surgery did not significantly differ between the groups. Moreover, the ROM in external rotation with 90° arm abduction was significantly better in group I than that in group II at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively ( p = 0.002, p = 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). The deficit in external rotation with 90° arm abduction gradually decreased with time after surgery and differed significantly between the groups. However, the difference in deficit between the two groups at 12 months after surgery did not exceed the measurement error. All clinical scores significantly improved after surgery compared to before surgery; however, the improvement did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusion The Latarjet procedure without capsular repair showed good laxity restoration and clinical results with less early postoperative external rotation limitation than that achieved by the same procedure with capsular repair. However, external rotation deficit at 1 year after surgery did not show a clinically relevant difference difference between the two groups. Level of evidence Level III.