Mobility recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

BACKGROUND: Mobility recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in different tears size. AIM: To investigate, after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, the range of motion (ROM) progression in different sized tears (small, large and massive), and evaluating ROM changes in the pre- and postoperative periods of each group. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy. POPULATION: Ninety-two patients with reparable rotator cuff tears. METHODS: Patients were divided in three groups: group A (small lesions), group B (large lesions) and group C (reparable massive lesions) composed by 29, 31 and 32 patients, respectively. ROM were measured preoperatively (TO), and after 45 (T1), 70 (T2) and 100 (T3) days after the arthroscopic treatment.. RESULTS: From TO to T3, small lesions are associated to excellent results, with an improvement of all parameters; the same in patients with large lesions, except for flexion parameter; in reparable massive lesions only external and internal rotation improved. CONCLUSIONS: Not all parameters recover in the same way: postoperative rehabilitative protocol is an integral contributor to favorable outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tears.