What Is the Trajectory of Recovery in the Early Postoperative Period after the Big 3 Shoulder Surgeries? Comparative Analysis Using 3 Previous Prospective Studies

Abstract

(1) Background: The aims of this study were to compare serial changes in outcome measures in the early postoperative period after rotator cuff repair (RCR), anatomical total shoulder replacement (ATSR), and reverse total shoulder replacement (RTSR). (2) Methods: In total, 143 patients who underwent RCR (n = 47), ATSR (n = 46), and RTSR (n = 50) were included. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the activity of daily living (ADL) score, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score were completed. (3) Results: At 3 months, the recovery rate for the VAS pain score was 43.7% in the RCR, 89.1% in the ATSR, and 78.4% in RTSR. The recovery rate for the ADL score was 36.3%, 69.5%, and 76.4%. The recovery rate for ASES score was 40.9%, 79.5%, and 77.4%. For all outcome measures, a lower recovery rate was observed in the RCR group than in the ATSR and RTSR groups. At 6 months after surgery, the recovery rate for the VAS pain score was 69.9%, 100%, and 90.3%. The recovery rate for the ADL score was 66.8%, 92.8%, and 91.5%. The recovery rate for the ASES score was 68.7%, 96.5%, and 90.9%. (4) Conclusion: Compared with ATSR and RTSR, a slower recovery rate was observed for RCR, measured to be approximately 40% at 3 months and 70% at 6 months after surgery. Rapid improvement in pain and shoulder function was achieved after ATSR and RTSR, with a recovery rate of over 70% at 3 months and over 90% at 6 months after surgery.