Background Return to work (RTW) after surgery for a work‐related rotator cuff disorder (WRRCD) is often difficult. The study's purpose was to identify preoperative factors predicting RTW. Methods Ninety‐two workers with a WRRCD were identified by four surgeons. Before surgery, the workers completed a series of standardized questionnaires related to working conditions, health, and health beliefs. They were followed up prospectively for 20 months. Statistical analysis was based on single and multiple‐factor Cox models of the duration of absence from the time of surgery until RTW. Results The median age at inclusion was 49 years (27–62), with 52 women included (57%). Sixty‐one subjects (66%) were employed in highly physically demanding jobs. Forty‐two (46%) stayed at work until their surgery, whereas preoperative sick leave exceeded 100 days in 20 subjects (21%). Twenty months after surgery, 14 were still not back at work. For the other participants, the mean duration until RTW was 225 days (SD 156). In the fully adjusted model, variables that were significantly predictive of the duration until RTW were: work physical demand levels, preoperative sick leave, the number of body parts causing pain or discomfort in the last 12 months, self‐assessed 2‐year workability, and the Readiness for RTW (RRTW) Scale. Conclusions Several physical, psychological, and work‐related factors, easily recorded, can be identified preoperatively. They may be predictive of delayed return, loss of employment, or employability as a result of shoulder surgery.

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Objective: Sustained return to work after surgery for work-related rotator cuff syndrome (WRRCS) remains quite difficult. The main purpose of the present study was to identify predictive factors of a return-to-work (RTW) trajectory.Methods: A total of 96 workers with WRRCS were identified by 4 surgeons. They were followed prospectively before and after the surgery, until 1 year after RTW, or for 20 months after surgery when they did not. Participants completed a series of standardized questionnaires related to working conditions, health, and beliefs, and performed functional tests at the inclusion time. During the follow-up period, they were regularly asked about their working conditions (present or not at work), activity (normal or lightened physical duties) and schedules (full-or part-time job). Statistical analysis was based on single-and multiple-factor models of prediction of the workers' trajectory.Results: Three trajectories of RTW were distinguished, considering RTW and absenteeism that occurred during the follow-up: stable, unstable, and non-RTW. The median age of the sample was 49.5 [45.0-54.0], with 67.7% of workers employed in highly physically demanding jobs. In the multiple factor model, three factors were highly predictive of the trajectory: perceived health before surgery, having had a repaired ruptured-rotator-cuff tendinopathy, and the level of physical demand of the job. Conclusion:Three easy-to-collect predictive factors of RTW trajectory have been identified. They may be useful for healthcare professionals and care givers to identify vulnerable workers' risk of occupational dropout after arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tendinopathy.

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