Postoperative rehabilitation and pain control after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in South Korea: A web-based survey

Background Postoperative rehabilitation and perioperative pain control after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) remain heterogeneous, and national practice patterns in South Korea are not well described. This study aimed to characterize contemporary rehabilitation and pain-control protocols among Korean shoulder surgeons, identify areas of majority consensus, and explore institutional differences. Methods A web-based questionnaire (postoperative rehabilitation and pain-control section of a 104-item survey; questions 69-104) was distributed to members of the Korean Arthroscopy Society (KAS) between August 1 and September 15, 2025. Responses were collected anonymously via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were reported as counts and percentages. A response selected by ≥ 50% of respondents was considered a consensus statement. Subgroup analyses compared university hospitals (Group U) with non-university institutions (Group N). Results A total of 100 surgeons completed the survey (Group U, 40; Group N, 60). The most common immobilization device was an abduction brace (96.0%), most commonly positioned at approximately 30° of abduction (81.8%). Passive ROM (PROM) exercises were initiated within 1 week by 22.7% of respondents, whereas 77.3% initiated PROM at ≥2 weeks. Strengthening exercises were most commonly initiated at 12 weeks (59.6%). Return to sports or heavy shoulder-demanding work was most commonly permitted at ≥6 months (82.8%). Perioperative nerve blocks were performed routinely (almost all/most patients) by 68.7% of respondents, most commonly using an interscalene block (71.4%). Group U was less likely to initiate PROM within 1 week than non-university institutions (7.9% vs 32.2%, p = 0.011), more likely to allow return to sports/heavy work at ≥6 months (97.5% vs 72.9%, p = 0.004), and had a shorter length of stay (median 4 vs 7 days, p < 0.001). Conclusion Postoperative rehabilitation and pain-control strategies after ARCR in South Korea show both consensus and variability. Compared with previously published surveys, Korean respondents generally favored a delayed start of PROM, along with later strengthening and return-to-sport timelines. Level of Evidence IV (Cross-sectional survey)