Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Arthroscopic Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Whole Rotator Cable Reconstruction Using Proximal Biceps Tendon Autograft
Published on: June 6, 2025
Recovery pattern in the early postoperative period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a systematic review
Purpose:
To evaluate the time taken to recover from arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) in terms of pain and function, and to determine if there is an association with the size of the tear.
Methods:
PubMed and EMBASE were searched according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The recovery pattern of clinical outcomes and range of motion (ROM) was reported narratively. The percentage of the total improvement at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year was defined as the recovery rate (%) at each time point. The 2-year score was considered 100% recovery. Subgroup analysis based on tear size was performed.
Results:
In total, 28 studies were included in this systematic review. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score showed over 50% recovery at 3 months, while other clinical scores reached this threshold by 6 months. At 1 year, all clinical scores showed approximately 85% recovery. ROM worsened or showed minimal improvement at 3 months and significant improvement by 6 months or 1 year after ARCR. Tear size did not significantly affect clinical scores at any follow-up period (all P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
All clinical scores including VAS pain score showed significant improvement at 3 or 6 months after ARCR. Especially, recovery of VAS pain score was faster compared to other clinical scores up to 6 months. ROM recovery slowly started at 6 months after ARCR. Recovery pattern was not different according to the tear size. It can give patients a better understanding of recovery after the operation.
