Risk of arthropathy after the Bristow-Latarjet repair: a radiologic and clinical thirty-three to thirty-five years of follow-up of thirty-one shoulders.

BACKGROUND: Transfer of the coracoid (Bristow-Latarjet [B-L]) is used to stabilize anterior shoulder instability. We report the long-term results of our first 31 operations with this method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients (mean age, 26.7 years) had a B-L repair from 1977 to 1979. Five patients died, and during 2012 to 2013, the remaining 31 shoulders had a follow-up with questionnaire, physical examination, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, Subjective Shoulder Value, Subjective Assessment of Shoulder Function, subjective assessment of loss of motion, and radiologic imaging.

RESULTS: One patient required revision surgery because of recurrence and another because of repeat dislocation. Six patients reported subluxations. Eighteen patients (58%) were very satisfied, and 13 (42%) were satisfied. The mean Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index score (100 possible) was 85, and the median score was 93. According to Samilson-Prieto classification of arthropathy of the shoulder, 39% were classified as normal, 27% as mild, 23% as moderate, and 11% as severe. The classification of arthropathy varied with observers and radiologic views. Age younger than 22 years at the primary dislocation meant less arthropathy at follow-up (P = .045).

CONCLUSION: The degree of arthropathy 33 to 35 years after the B-L repair seems to follow the natural history of shoulder dislocation with respect to arthropathic joint degeneration. Postoperative restriction of external rotation does not increase later arthropathy.