Effects of the open Latarjet procedure on shoulder kinematics and periscapular muscle activity three months postoperatively

Background The debate surrounding the influence of the open Latarjet procedure on postoperative scapular motions persists, and there is no evidence regarding its effects on periscapular muscle activation. This study aimed to assess the short-term influence of open Latarjet procedure on scapular kinematics and periscapular muscle activity during arm raising and lowering based on comparisons between patient and healthy athletes. Methods 22 healthy male athletes and 22 male athletes scheduled for glenohumeral stabilization surgery by open Latarjet procedure were included. Scapular kinematics, periscapular muscle activities and shoulder-related quality of life were recorded prior to surgery and 3 months postoperatively for the Latarjet group. For the healthy group, same assessments were performed 3 months apart. Bilateral differences in both scapular kinematics and periscapular muscle activation ratios, and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) index were defined as dependent variables. Results Scapular kinematics of the operated shoulder, namely scapular upward/downward rotation, internal/external rotation and anterior/posterior tilt recorded between 20° and 120° of humerothoracic elevation, showed no alterations 3 months post-surgery (p>0.05), and did not differ from those observed in healthy athletes (p>0.05). Similarly, all periscapular muscle activations were not different within time and between groups (p>0.05). WOSI index of the operated shoulder was significantly improved postoperatively (871.9 ± 443.7 vs. 1346.3 ± 552.3) but remained higher than the WOSI indices of the non-operated shoulder or those of the healthy group (52.7±75.6). Conclusion This study emphasizes the short-term effects of the open Latarjet procedure, demonstrating an improvement in the shoulder-related quality of life 3 months after surgery. Notably, during this period, both kinematics and periscapular muscle activity remained consistent, and similar to the patterns observed for healthy athletes.