- Type
- Open bone-block stabilisation
- Anaesthesia
- General + regional block
- Hospital stay
- Day surgery or 1 night
- Sling
- 4–6 weeks
- Return to contact sport
- 6–9 months
- Re-dislocation rate
- Approximately 2–5%
What it is.
The Latarjet procedure is an open bone-block stabilisation operation used for recurrent anterior shoulder instability — particularly when imaging shows significant glenoid bone loss (typically more than 15–20% of the glenoid surface), or where an arthroscopic Bankart repair has previously failed.
The operation transfers a small finger of bone from the front of the scapula (the coracoid process), together with its conjoint tendon, to the deficient front edge of the glenoid socket. It works through three mechanisms simultaneously:
- Bone — the coracoid bone block restores the anterior socket.
- Dynamic sling — the conjoint tendon (short head of biceps and coracobrachialis) tensions across the front of the shoulder during abduction and external rotation, preventing the humeral head from translating forward.
- Capsular repair — the coracoacromial ligament stump is used to repair the anterior capsule over the bone graft.
How it is performed.
Performed under general anaesthesia with an interscalene regional block. A deltopectoral incision is used to access the front of the shoulder. The coracoid is osteotomised at its base, preserving its tendon attachments, and prepared for transfer. The subscapularis muscle is split horizontally and the anterior glenoid is exposed. The coracoid is then transferred onto the deficient anterior glenoid and fixed with two cortical screws. The capsule is repaired and the wound closed in layers.
Recovery timeline.
Week 0–6
- Sling worn continuously.
- Pendulum and passive range from day 1.
- No driving. No lifting.
Week 6–12
- Sling discontinued. Active range of motion progresses.
- Driving resumed. Return to a desk job.
Month 3–6
- Strengthening commences.
- Return to non-contact sport.
Months 6–9
- Return to contact sport once strength, range of motion and confidence have returned. The decision is functional, not purely time-based.
How Latarjet compares with arthroscopic Bankart.
In shoulders with minimal glenoid bone loss (less than ~15%), arthroscopic Bankart repair has good long-term results and a re-dislocation rate of 5–15%. As bone loss exceeds 15–20%, the failure rate of Bankart repair rises steeply, and Latarjet becomes the more reliable operation, with reported re-dislocation rates of 2–5%. The Latarjet is an open operation with a different risk profile (hardware, nerve, non-union), so the choice between the two is matched to the individual patient and imaging.
Rehabilitation protocol.
A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below is a guide — progression is based on clinical milestones, not the calendar alone.
Weeks 0–6 — protection phase
- Sling at all times except during prescribed exercises.
- Ice after therapy sessions; heat packs before therapy.
- Scapula rotation exercises within the sling.
- Pendular exercises and active-assisted forward flexion to 90 degrees.
- Active-assisted elbow flexion for the first 3 weeks, then progress to active.
Weeks 7–12 — active rehabilitation
- Remove sling.
- Scapula control and proprioceptive training.
- Begin active external rotation in adduction as tolerated.
- Gentle isometric and isotonic resistance for subscapularis and infraspinatus.
- Internal rotation in 90 degrees of abduction with posterior capsular massage and stretch.
- External rotation in abduction with humeral head relocation (posterior draw).
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns.
Week 12 onwards — return to activity
- Gentle resistance work for supraspinatus and subscapularis.
- Progressive increase in rotator cuff workload.
- Return to sport when the patient has full control and comparable strength to the opposite side.
View the recovery roadmap for the full five-phase journey, or visit For Physiotherapists to request protocols directly.
Frequently asked questions.
Why a bone graft and not just a Bankart repair?
When too much glenoid bone has been lost, there isn't enough bone left for the labrum repair to sit on, and a Bankart repair has a high failure rate. The Latarjet restores the lost bone and adds a dynamic sling effect, dramatically reducing re-dislocation.
Is the Latarjet a bigger operation than Bankart?
Yes — it is an open operation with hardware, where Bankart is arthroscopic. The trade-off is that Latarjet has a lower long-term re-dislocation rate in shoulders with significant bone loss.
When can I return to contact sport?
6–9 months. The decision is based on strength, range of motion and confidence in the shoulder, not just the calendar.
Will the bone graft heal?
Yes — union rates of the coracoid graft to the glenoid are over 90%. Non-union is uncommon and usually asymptomatic if it does occur.
Will the screws ever need to come out?
Most stay in for life. A small number of patients have screw irritation or prominence requiring removal, generally not before 12 months.
References.
- Latarjet M. Treatment of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder. Lyon Chir. 1954;49(8):994–997.
- Hovelius L, et al. Long-term results of the Bristow-Latarjet procedure. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2012;21(5):647–660.
- Burkhart SS, De Beer JF. Traumatic glenohumeral bone defects and their relationship to failure of arthroscopic Bankart repairs. Arthroscopy. 2000;16(7):677–694.