Rotator Cuff Tear in Barretts, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Barretts, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a personalized treatment plan that will safely return you 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.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Barretts and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as motion experts allow us to effectively shepherd you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Begin treatment with a dedicated physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or discover 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 each year in the United States must schedule a visit with 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 difficult, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Barretts, 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 Barretts, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. On top of holding your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff permits you to control the movement of your arm. For any physical endeavor requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper limb. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, combined with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that empowers the large range of movement in the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that holds in place the head of your humerus and helps you raise your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which assists with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is vital in nearly every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal 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 Barretts, 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

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration happens due to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Barretts, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your treatment.

There are three basic kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused 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 transpire because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day motions over time like throwing. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can regularly reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often due to weakness or incorrect posture.
3. Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain 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.

All three injuries can be treated effectively with conservative treatment like physical therapy. 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 Barretts, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary daily tasks like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Barretts, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

A rotator cuff tear can be categorized as one of the following:

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear happens 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 are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—like baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your occupation requires you to carry out a specific motion over and over.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — 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 well known for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . After a while, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading it to fray and tear.

Aging is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are due to the typical wear and tear our bodies experience over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Barretts, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always experience symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instantaneous pain, but other times the symptoms are harder to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness with specific 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 motions
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Barretts, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work together with your doctor 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 a simple, cost-effective means of having 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 entirely recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the know-how and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up 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 best form of treatment is in Barretts, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help assuage 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. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is totally torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to implement 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 Barretts, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from professional and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build a tailored 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 recover from your rotator cuff tear, and we look forward to seeing 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.