Rotator Cuff Tear in Barnhart, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Barnhart, 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 return you to full strength and mobility – pain free. Fill out our online form or schedule an appointment today to get started with healing your rotator cuff injury.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Barnhart and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts equip us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff tear. Get in touch with 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 each year in the United States must see a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If you have suffered a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Barnhart, 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 Barnhart, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. In addition to keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff permits you to control the movement of your arm. For any functional endeavor needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature work together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper extremity. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, along with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the substantial scope of motion in the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which helps with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. 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.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most powerful of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is crucial in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced 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

The two principal causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration transpires owing to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Whatever type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Barnhart, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to empower 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. 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 repetitive day-to-day motions over time like pitching. They start with fraying and after some time tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a mild injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect posture.
3. Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Normally occurring with overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can be a precursor 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 assuage symptoms and better function considerably. Our Barnhart, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will implement a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary everyday tasks like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Barnhart, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience trauma. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, for example a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • 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 — Proper blood flow ensures that minor injuries heal properly. When blood flow is restricted, irritation can gradually turn into a tear. 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 acts as the roof of your shoulder . Bone spurs can lead to impingement, which in turn leads to rotator cuff tears.

Getting older is the most recognized risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are because of the general wear and tear our bodies undergo over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Barnhart, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always have symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instantaneous pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

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

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Barnhart, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective method to have 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 entirely heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the expertise and skill to return 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 uncertain as to what the best means of treatment is in Barnhart, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help manage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with full-thickness tears or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to create 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:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because 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 expert and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create a personalized 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 can’t wait to see you once again able to high-five your clinical team as you leave. 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.