Clinical analysis of arthroscopic modified Mason-Allen suture in the repair of delaminated rotator cuff tears
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025
Development of a Rabbit Chronic-Like Rotator Cuff Injury Model for Study of Fibrosis and Muscular Fatty Degeneration
Published on: March 31, 2023
Runqing Wu1, Xiaoye Fang1, Fangqi Xu2
1The Second Clinical School of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
Purpose:
To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of arthroscopic single-row modified Mason-Allen(mMA) suture technique in repairing delaminated rotator cuff tears (RCTs).
Methods:
According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 65 selected cases were treated with mMA by a senior physician. Outpatient follow-up visits were conducted at 1.5 months, 3 months, 6 months, and longer after treatment. The postoperative shoulder range of motion (ROM), Constant Murely score (CS), and UCLA shoulder joint score were evaluated by the same examiner. After the follow-up, the data will be summarized and finally subjected to statistical analysis (Fig. 1).
Results:
Collected 65 patients with delaminated RCTs repaired using arthroscopic modified Mason-Allen suture technique from May 2022 to June 2023. Three were lost to follow-up, leaving 62 patients who were included in the study analysis, including 21 males and 41 females; age ranged from 50 to 81 years old, with a median age of 65 years old; 34 cases in the left shoulder and 28 cases in the right shoulder; 30 cases with a history of trauma and 32 cases with no obvious history of trauma; According to the Cofield classification of RCTs, all were delaminated tears of the rotator cuff. We recorded changes in shoulder range of motion (ROM) and functional ratings for at least 6 months (6 months to 18 months, average 10 months) postoperatively. Shoulder anteflexion improved from 98.06 ± 11.28° to 172.26 ± 6.63° (P = 0.028), abduction improved from 69.68°±18.55° to 160.97 ± 9.53° (P = 0.006), internal rotation improved from 14.52°±10.35° to 45.81 ± 4.97° (P = 0.007), and external rotation improved from 22.42°±8.62°to 51.29 ± 6.14° (P = 0.027); CS preoperative 49.08 ± 4.91and at the last follow-up 97.89 ± 1.62 (P = 0.043); and UCLA shoulder score, preoperative 15.73 ± 2.60 and at the last follow-up 33.85 ± 0.15 (P = 0.044). 3 cases developed adhesive capsulitis symptoms due to inactive rehabilitation activities after the operation, and the symptoms disappeared after standard rehabilitation training (no secondary operation). All patients had no problems such as rotator cuff tearing and anchor removal.
Conclusion:
The use of mMA suture technique to repair rotator cuff delamination tears can effectively relieve shoulder pain, improve shoulder function, and have fewer complications.
Insights
The modified Mason-Allen (mMA) suture technique effectively repairs delaminated rotator cuff tears, significantly improving shoulder function and reducing pain with minimal complications. This arthroscopic approach offers a safe and beneficial treatment option for patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Delaminated rotator cuff tears (RCTs) present a unique challenge in shoulder surgery.
- Arthroscopic repair techniques aim to restore function and alleviate pain in patients with RCTs.
- The modified Mason-Allen (mMA) suture technique is a specific method for RCT repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the arthroscopic single-row modified Mason-Allen (mMA) suture technique for repairing delaminated rotator cuff tears (RCTs).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 65 patients with delaminated RCTs underwent arthroscopic repair using the mMA technique.
- Postoperative follow-up included assessments of shoulder range of motion (ROM), Constant Murely score (CS), and UCLA shoulder joint score at multiple intervals.
- Data from 62 patients were analyzed after a minimum of 6 months follow-up.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in shoulder anteflexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation post-mMA repair (P < 0.05).
- Constant Murely scores improved from 49.08 to 97.89, and UCLA scores improved from 15.73 to 33.85 (P < 0.05).
- Three patients experienced temporary adhesive capsulitis, which resolved with rehabilitation; no retears or anchor issues were reported.
Conclusions:
- The arthroscopic mMA suture technique is an effective method for repairing delaminated rotator cuff tears.
- This technique leads to substantial improvements in shoulder function and pain relief.
- The mMA technique demonstrates a favorable safety profile with a low incidence of complications.