Effectiveness of an interactive online exercise program following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A prospective comparative study

Interactive postoperative rehabilitation approaches have increasingly been used following arthroscopic rotator cuff (RC) repair; however, evidence comparing their effectiveness with conventional physiotherapist-supervised (PS) rehabilitation remains limited. This study aimed to compare functional recovery outcomes between patients participating in an interactive postoperative rehabilitation program and those receiving PS rehabilitation after arthroscopic RC repair. Patients who underwent arthroscopic RC repair at a tertiary orthopedic center between February 2021 and April 2022 were prospectively included. Patients were allocated to either an interactive online exercise-based rehabilitation program or PS rehabilitation based on internet access availability. Both groups followed the same standardized postoperative exercise protocol. Pain intensity, shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and functional outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. A total of 40 patients were included in the analysis (n = 20 per group). Both rehabilitation approaches resulted in significant improvements in pain, shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and functional outcomes over time (P < .05). The mean Quick-DASH score decreased from 50.45 ± 33.77 to 1.02 ± 2.14 in the interactive rehabilitation group and from 45.67 ± 20.74 to 0.90 ± 2.89 in the PS group at 6 months, with no statistically significant difference between groups (P > .05). However, patients in the interactive rehabilitation group demonstrated earlier pain reduction during the early postoperative period. An interactive postoperative rehabilitation program provides functional outcomes comparable to those of PS rehabilitation following arthroscopic RC repair. These findings suggest that interactive rehabilitation strategies may represent a feasible alternative for postoperative care, particularly when access to in-person rehabilitation is limited.