Rotator Cuff Tear in Beaufort, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Beaufort, 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 – 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 Beaufort and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as motion experts allow us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff tear. Begin working 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 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 schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If you have experienced a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for enduring and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Beaufort, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will implement a tailored, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Beaufort, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. On top of helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional activity requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. The wide range of motion our arms and shoulders have is due to our rotator cuff working in tandem with the surrounding musculoskeletal structure of the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

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 thick triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

Moving your arm or shoulder with an injured rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to adequately rotate, raise, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Beaufort, 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 main causes of rotator cuff injuries are acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object or overstretch your arm. Degeneration happens due to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Beaufort, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.

There are three principal kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

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 repeating day-to-day motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They begin with fraying and eventually tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a minor 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 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 technique.
3. Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Typically 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 decrease symptoms and ameliorate function considerably. Our Beaufort, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting basic daily tasks like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Beaufort, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer a specific injury. Maybe you fell 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 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 Flow — As we age our body sends 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 infamous 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.

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 Beaufort, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always exhibit symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Difficulty raising your arm
• Pain or soreness with certain shoulder motions
• Pain at night or when resting, especially if you’re lying on the injured shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with certain arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Beaufort, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in tandem with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, 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 completely 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 raising your grandkids over your head or serving an ace.

Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear

If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be asking yourself what the best means of treatment is in Beaufort, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods 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 the activities you love. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help decrease pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is entirely 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 determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to build 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:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened 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 caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you in your recovery. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 recover 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 picking the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.