Comparative clinical study on the results of injecting anything intra-articularly ropivacaine and betamethasone versus arthroscopic rotator cuff repair without injection

This study aimed to assess the impact of combined intra-articular ropivacaine and betamethasone injection on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). This retrospective analysis included 80 patients undergoing ARCR. Based on the intervention received, patients were divided into an observation group (n = 40), receiving an intra-articular injection of ropivacaine (100 mg) and betamethasone (5 mg) post-repair, and a control group (n = 40) undergoing ARCR alone. Outcomes assessed over 12 months included pain (visual analogue scale, VAS), shoulder function (SST and Constant scores), range of motion, and complications. The observation group reported significantly lower VAS scores than the control group at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (P = 0.036, P = 0.042, P = 0.031). At 12 weeks, the observation group also showed superior improvement in forward flexion, external rotation, SST scores, and Constant scores (all P < 0.001). The total clinical effective rate was higher in the observation group (92.50% vs. 77.50%, P = 0.004). Regarding safety, no major complications occurred in either group. The incidence of minor complications was comparable between the observation and control groups (10.0% vs. 12.5%, P > 0.05). The adjunctive use of intra-articular ropivacaine and betamethasone injection following ARCR provides effective postoperative analgesia and contributes to better early recovery of shoulder function and mobility, offering a valuable enhancement to standard surgical repair.