High Rate of Return to Work by 3 Months Following Latarjet for Anterior Shoulder Instability

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the rate and duration of return to work in patients undergoing Latarjet for failed soft-tissue stabilization or glenoid bone loss.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing Latarjet from 2005 to 2015 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Patients completed a standardized and validated work questionnaire, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index Survey, and a satisfaction survey.

Results: Of 89 eligible patients who had Latarjet, 67 patients (75.3%) responded to the questionnaire, of whom 51 patients (76.1%) were employed within 3 years before surgery (mean age: 29.9 ± 11.8 years; mean follow-up: 54.6 ± 11.9 months) and had an average glenoid bone loss of 14.5 ± 6.1%. Fifty patients (98.0%) returned to work by 2.7 ± 3.0 months postoperatively; 45 patients (88.2%) patients returned to the same level of occupational intensity. Those who held sedentary, light, moderate, or heavy intensity occupations returned to their previous occupation at a rate of 100.0%, 93.3%, 90.0%, and 66.7% (P = .2) at a duration of 1.2 ± 1.6 months, 1.8 ± 1.9 months, 3.1 ± 3.5 months, and 6.5 ± 4.1 months (P = .001), respectively. The average postoperative Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index score was 70.9 ± 34.2. Fifty patients (98.0%) noted at least "a little improvement" in their quality of life following surgery, with 35 patients (68.6%) noting great improvement. Furthermore, 49 patients (96.1%) reported being satisfied with their procedure, with 25 patients (49.0%) reporting being very satisfied. Four patients (7.8%) returned to the operating room, with 1 patient (2.0%) requiring arthroscopic shoulder stabilization.

Conclusions: Approximately 98% of patients who underwent Latarjet returned to work by 2.7 ± 3.0 months postoperatively. Patients with greater-intensity occupations had a longer duration of absence before returning to their preoperative level of occupational intensity. Information regarding return to work is imperative in preoperative patient consultation to manage expectations.

Level of evidence: IV, case series.