Sixty patients with rotator cuff tears smaller than 3cm were randomized to receive an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (n=30) or a mini-open repair (n=30). Outcomes of interest included pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion in forward flexion and external rotation, time to motion recovery, number of times additional analgesic was administered, and post-operative stiffness. Outcomes were assessed up to 6 months post-operation. Results revealed significantly lower VAS pain scores in the arthroscopic group at post-operative days 1-3, but no difference between groups from day 4 to 6 months post-operation. Range of motion in forward flexion and external rotation were not significantly different between groups up to 6 months post-operation. Patients in the arthroscopic group required less additional analgesics vs. the mini-open group. No other differences were observed between groups.