Biceps Brachii Alterations Following the Latarjet Procedure: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

To prospectively investigate the postoperative forearm supination and elbow flexion strength of both upper extremities and popeye deformity in patients who underwent a mini-open Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability. Patients who underwent a mini-open Latarjet procedure at two specialized shoulder centers were prospectively evaluated preoperatively (T0) and at least 6 months (T1) after surgery. Subjects were tested for elbow flexion and forearm supination strength of both upper extremities using an isometric dynamometer and customized torque dynamometer. Clinical outcome was assessed by the Constant Score (CS), American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES) and Simple Shoulder test (SST). Popeye deformity was defined as a distalization of the greatest circumference of the biceps muscle belly towards the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. A total of 20 patients with a mean age of 27 ± 6 years were included in the study. At a mean follow-up of 10 ± 3 months, the elbow flexion strength was restored to the preoperative state ( The Latarjet procedure showed to preserve elbow flexion strength and provided comparable forearm supination strength compared to the uninjured arm with reliable clinical outcome in this study population. However, a decrease of forearm supination strength in both arms was persistent at a mean of 10 months postoperatively. No popeye deformity was noted in the postoperative examinations. Case series, Level III.