Post-Operative Pain Management in Rotator Cuff Repair

Pain Management Protocol

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends starting paracetamol (acetaminophen) 1000mg every 6 hours scheduled, combined with an NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor, for pain management after rotator cuff repair 1, 2, 3
Opioids should be reserved strictly for rescue analgesia only when other methods fail, as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1
Applying ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours is a safe and commonly beneficial practice for pain management, although evidence is limited, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 4, 5

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests considering diagnostic/therapeutic subacromial injection with corticosteroid and local anesthetic if pain persists beyond 1-2 weeks of optimal medical management, although guideline evidence for this specific indication is inconclusive 4