title: Pattern and time phase of shoulder function and power recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been our observation that early during rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair, patients may take a step back before improving. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pattern and time phase of changes in Constant score and strength recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients underwent scoring preoperatively with the Constant score. All were followed up at 3 months and 6 months after surgery. The Constant score and strength at 3 months were compared with those at the 6-month mark.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Constant score improved from 46.4 points (SD, 17.3) preoperatively to 51.8 points (SD, 13.5) 3 months postoperatively (P = .0777). At 6 months postoperatively, the mean Constant score was 69.0 points (SD, 11.1), a significant increase from both the preoperative (P < .0001) and 3-month (P < .0001) results. The mean preoperative strength result of 4.5 kg (SD, 3.2) decreased significantly to 3.3 kg (SD, 1.8) at 3 months postoperatively (P = .0154) before improving to 5.8 kg (SD, 2.6) at 6 months postoperatively. The improvement in strength at 6 months was significant compared with both the preoperative (P = .0070) and 3-month (P < .0001) results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there is highly significant improvement in overall function (Constant score) and strength 6 months postoperatively, patients appear to take a step back before improving, in fact with a drop in strength at 3 months. This may cause concern in patients and may require assurance that time and effort with physiotherapy will improve function and symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Reading Shoulder Unit, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Tirtza
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Even
authors.forename: A Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Narvani
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atoun
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Tongel
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sforza
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome