Rotator Cuff Tear in All Saints Village, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our All Saints Village, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a custom-made treatment plan that will safely get you back to full strength and mobility – without any pain. 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 All Saints Village, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to assisting individuals like you in the All Saints Village, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you want. Our substantial clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts allow us to successfully lead you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Start treatment with a devoted physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or learn more about the location most convenient for you.
A rotator cuff tear can be the result of trauma or overuse over time. Over two million people each year nationwide must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist owing 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 painful, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in All Saints Village, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will build a personalized, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.
The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy All Saints Village, MO
The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. Besides keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff lets you control the movement of your arm. For any functional task needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature work alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more powerful muscles, combined with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the great scope of movement in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:
- The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
The rotator cuff is vital in nearly every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in order to have optimal 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 transpire when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Regardless of what kind of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the All Saints Village, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.
Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:
- Rotator cuff tears occur as a result of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear wholly separates the tendon from the bone. Typically, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not entirely separate it from the bone. They can transpire as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day movements over time like throwing. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people not knowing that they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a mild injury.
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is centered in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy often happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often because of weakness or incorrect posture.
- Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. Impingement syndrome can be a prelude 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 individualized physical therapy can reduce symptoms and improve movement, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our All Saints Village, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy All Saints Village, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be designated as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear takes place when you experience trauma. Maybe you tried to lift something you shoulder could not support. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
- Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
- Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. These are common in sports like swimming and baseball, or jobs that require repeated overhead lifting.
- Lack of Blood Flow — As we age our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, making it more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is notorious for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . Bone spurs can lead to impingement, which in turn leads to rotator cuff tears.
Age is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are because of the typical wear and tear our bodies undergo over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Younger people with rotator cuff injuries frequently develop them through acute trauma. All Saints Village, MO residents who work in certain jobs, play certain sports, or repeatedly lift heavy things or consistently move their arms overhead are also at higher risk.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always show symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:
- Difficulty raising your arm
- Pain or soreness when performing certain shoulder movements
- Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the affected shoulder
- Weakness in your shoulder
- Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with certain arm movements
- Inability to lift things you can normally lift
If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you call a medical professional such as the All Saints Village, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work 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 method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the know-how and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up your grandchildren over your head or striking out the side.
Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear
If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be asking yourself what the most effective method of treatment is in All Saints Village, MO. In the majority of cases, 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 a pain free life. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help limit pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is wholly torn or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to build an evidence-based, personalized plan to get you back to the activities you love, free from the pain and 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:
- Neck Pain Treatment
- 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
Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy All Saints Village, 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 professional and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create a customized plan for you based on evidence and your individual needs. As your physical therapist, we work hard to help you restore 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 picking the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.












