Rotator Cuff Tear in Arcadia, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical demands of your job more difficult, but it can also hinder basic tasks reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Arcadia, 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 on your road to recovery.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Arcadia and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Reach out to a 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 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. Over two million people every year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If you have experienced a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are only looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Arcadia, 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 Arcadia, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. As well as keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff allows you to control the movement of your arm. For any physical endeavor necessitating maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, combined with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the substantial amount of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and helps you elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most forceful of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is fundamental in nearly every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in order to have full range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Arcadia, MO occupational and physical therapists at Axes for a free injury screening, so we can design an evidence-based plan to return you to to the activities you love.

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

The two basic causes of rotator cuff injuries are acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can take place when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration occurs due to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Arcadia, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you recover.

Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused by trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear entirely separates the tendon from the bone. Normally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not completely separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They start with fraying and ultimately tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears show no symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can frequently reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. The pain is centered in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm movements. Normally occurring with overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can be a precursor to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated effectively with conservative treatment like physical therapy. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist can decrease symptoms and better function considerably. Our Arcadia, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to owning your Arcadia, MO pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or carrying out basic everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Arcadia, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear happens when you experience trauma. Maybe you attempted to lift something too heavy. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also known as chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. These are common in sports like swimming and baseball, or jobs that require repeated overhead lifting.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we age our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can lead to 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 . Over time, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

Getting older is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are due to the standard wear and tear our bodies experience over time, and are most common in people over the age of 40. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Arcadia, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instantaneous pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Difficulty raising your arm
• Pain or soreness with certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, especially 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 Arcadia, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your physician to come up with a game plan that will safely and successfully get you back to the activities you love. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandkids 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 wondering what the best method of treatment is in Arcadia, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help manage 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 reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is wholly torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to make an evidence-based, personalized plan to get you back to what you love doing, 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:

• 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 Arcadia, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from experienced and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create a tailored 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 recover 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.