Rotator Cuff Tear in Affton, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical demands of your work harder, but it can also impede every day activities pouring a cup of coffee. Our Affton, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy caters each treatment plan specifically to each client, their injury, and their desired activity level. Fill out our online form or schedule an appointment today to get started with healing your rotator cuff injury.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Affton, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to helping individuals like you in the Affton, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you require. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts allow us to successfully shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff tear. Start working with a dedicated physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or find out more about the location most convenient for you.

A rotator cuff tear can either be acute — meaning it happens as the result of an injury, such as falling or lifting a heavy object — or can happen gradually because of overuse. More than two million people every year in the United States must see a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks challenging, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Affton, MO physical therapy team will have you high-fiving and lifting your arms again sooner than you thought possible.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Affton, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. Besides keeping your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff helps you raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any physical task necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. The wide range of motion our arms and shoulders have is due to our rotator cuff working in tandem with larger shoulder muscles and the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder. The rotator cuff consists of:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and allows you to lift your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to extend your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is vital in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in order to have full range of motion. If you’re experiencing pain or limited motion in your shoulder, come see Axes for a free injury screening.

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can take place when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration transpires because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Whatever kind of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Affton, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your recovery.

There are three basic types of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears take place because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. The most common tear is a partial tear, which damages a tendon, while a full-thickness tear completely separates a tendon from the bone. They can be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating daily movements over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a light injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often caused by rotator cuff weakness, improper posture, and weakness of the muscles in the shoulder.
3. Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Usually the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

Licensed physical therapists can help you recover from any of these injuries with safe and effective treatment. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with a highly-knowledgeable physical therapist can lessen symptoms and ameliorate function significantly. Our Affton, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your local pickleball league, painting your walls, or performing basic everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Affton, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear takes place when you sustain a blunt force injury. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—including baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform a certain motion repeatedly.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we age our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can result in larger tears. The rotator cuff is notorious for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we get older, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . Bone spurs can lead to impingement, which in turn leads to rotator cuff tears.

Most rotator cuff tears happen to people over the age of 40 as a result of the wear and tear our bodies experience as we become older. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Affton, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more difficult to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing specific shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, especially if you’re lying on the affected shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Clicking, grating, or popping sensations, especially when associated with specific motions
• Inability to lift things you can normally lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Affton, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder examined. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally recover from – or arthritis, which can cause chronic pain and damage to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandchildren over your head or swimming 400 meters.

Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear

If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be wondering what the most successful method of treatment is in Affton, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help assuage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with complete tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The expert physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to build an evidence-based, tailored plan to get you back to what you love doing, pain-free and without the limitations of a rotator cuff tear.

We treat a wide variety of conditions and complaints and have a team of specialists ready to help you. Some of our other services are:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Affton, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design a customized plan for you based on evidence and your individual needs. As your physical therapist, we work hard to help you recover your movement health and help you heal from your rotator cuff tear, and we look forward to seeing you once again able to high-five your clinical team on your way out. Contact us today by choosing the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.