Managing severe bipolar bone loss in athletes: A comprehensive approach with open Latarjet and arthroscopic remplissage

Background: Severe bipolar bone loss (BBL) represents one of the toughest challenges when managing the instability of glenohumeral joints among athletes and more specifically the ones involved in overhead sports. It refers to the significant loss of the humeral head and the glenoid bone, with an increased risk of failure. The present study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of a combined open Latarjet and arthroscopic remplissage in such high-risk individuals. Methods: A retrospective evaluation was carried out among athletes with antero-inferior loss of glenoid bone of more than 15 % and large off-track Hill-Sachs defect who underwent the Latarjet technique with iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) harvest used in combination with arthroscopic remplissage between 2021 and 2023. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, constant-Murley score (CMS), and the range of motion (ROM; measured as forward flexion, external rotation, and abduction) were evaluated pre-operative and post-operative at the timepoint of 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI) and computed tomography scans (CT) were obtained among the patients with severe glenohumeral BBL, and the glenoid track was calculated to identify on-track and off-track Hill-Sachs lesions. Post-operative MRI with filled Hill-Sachs defect post remplissage procedure and 3D CT scan was also done at 6-month to evaluate the union of the ICBG to the native glenoid bone. Results: Overall, 11 patients underwent for the combined procedure for severe BBL. The UCLA score (31.18 +/- 3.74), and the CMS (93.64 +/- 8.38) at the time-point of 1-year post-operatively showed remarkable improvement in comparison with the preoperative scores (P < 0.0001); and the ROM including abduction, external rotation, and forward flexion were restored to near normality. All patients showed bony union at 6-month as confirmed by post-operative CT scan. No complications such as redislocation or subluxation were observed over 1-year. There were no neurological complications or complications related to graft (graft migration or graft breakage or resorption) as well. All the athletes returned to sports activities at an average duration of 6.8-month post-operatively, with 73 % returning to sports at the level of pre-injury. Conclusion: The combined procedure of ICBG Latarjet and arthroscopic remplissage for the treatment of severe BBL in athletes achieved satisfactory outcomes over 1-year, with all athletes returning to sports activities.