Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the muscular strength of the internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators of the shoulder after Bristow/Latarjet surgery. Methods Cross-sectional study with 18 patients (36 shoulders). The isokinetic evaluation was performed using the Biodex 3 System Pro dynamometer (Biodex Medical System, Inc., Shirley, NY, USA). The athletic shoulder outcome rating scale (ASORS) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were applied. Results The values of peak torque and maximum work in concentric and eccentric mode on the non-operated shoulder were higher than on the operated side for both the IR and ER ( p < 0.01). The conventional and functional balance between the ER and IR showed no differences between the operated and the non-operated side. When comparing patients with postoperative time < 1 year or 1 year, no differences were observed in peak torque values at 60°/s and 240°/s and maximum work at 60°/s and 240°/s of the IR to the operated shoulder. However, the peak torque values of 60°/s and 240°/s and maximum work at 60°/s and 240°/s of the ER were higher in subjects with postoperative time ≥ 1 year in all variables ( p < 0.05). Conclusions There was a decrease in the strength of the IR and ER in the operated shoulder compared with the healthy shoulder. However, the conventional and functional balance was maintained.