Self-Rehabilitation Program After Mini-Open Latarjet Procedure During the COVID-19 Pandemic Did Not Compromise Clinical Outcomes in the Military Population: A Treatment Study

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic limited access to in-person physiotherapy, raising concerns about post-operative rehabilitation outcomes. This study evaluated whether a self-rehabilitation protocol with virtual consultations after a mini-open Latarjet procedure affected short-term clinical outcomes in active military personnel. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 18 patients (19 shoulders) undergoing mini-open Latarjet between May and October 2020. Patients performed a standardized self-rehabilitation protocol starting on the first post-operative day, with progressive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises added at two weeks. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ROM was recorded at each follow-up, complications were noted, and patient satisfaction was evaluated at 12 weeks. Results: A total of eighteen patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. At 12 weeks, mean VAS decreased from 1.2 ± 0.6 at week 1 to 0 at week 4 onward. The mean drug consumption was 2.5 ± 0.7 tablets/day only for the first week. Mean assisted forward flexion improved from 155°± 10° at week 1 to 180° in all patients by week 4. External rotation reached 60°± 5°at 4 weeks, 75°± 4° at 8 weeks, and 80°± 3°at 12 weeks, with no deficits compared to the contralateral side. Internal rotation improved to T7 level by week 8 and remained stable at week 12. No complications, recurrent instability, or graft displacements were reported. Patient satisfaction exceeded 9.5/10 in all cases. Conclusions: A self-rehabilitation protocol after mini-open Latarjet surgery yielded excellent short-term outcomes in young military patients, with full ROM recovery, high satisfaction, and no complications. Further validation of these results requires larger, rigorously controlled studies.