Arthroscopy is just using the tool, arthroscope, to be able to look inside a joint with minimal soft tissue disruption. What is done at the time of the arthroscopy is what dictates recovery. For example, some who say they had it for their rotator cuff may have just had a debridement with no need to protect the shoulder to allow tissues to heal together whereas others may have had it for a massive rotator cuff repair which can take up to a year for full recovery. Even then function may never return to pre injury levels.

I had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders. My first one (left shoulder, I was in mid 20s) back to work no restrictions in 6 weeks, back in gym 3 months after surgery. Right shoulder done in the last 3 years. Out of work for 6 months, just now trying (slowly) to get back in gym. Still have pain and issues now and then. Could of been a difference in Dr's, age when I had surgerys or just getting old. Just wanted to toss my experience out there.

So there are a lot of questions I have. First of all, what is the arthroscopy for? What are they doing this for? Is it a debridement of the joint? Is the shoulder “unstable” or just painful? Depending on the type of arthroscopic surgery you are having and what they are going inside to fix will determine length of recovery time. If it’s just a cleanup, then you should be fully recovered in 12-16 weeks. If they are repairing your rotator cuff or labrum via arthroscopic surgery, then your healing time will be longer. What is your age? Give us some more details please!!

Will take 6 months before u can attempt to start feeling some what normal. 12-14 months before u feel fully healed make sure ur u stay consistent with the PT will make all the difference. Shoulder will never be how it use to so make modifications at least the pain and instability will be gone.