Rotator Cuff Tear in Bella Villa, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical requirements of your work harder, but it can also impede basic tasks writing. Our Bella Villa, 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 with healing your rotator cuff injury.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Bella Villa, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to helping individuals like you in the Bella Villa, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you desire. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to effectively shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff tear. 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. More than two million people each year in the United States must see 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 challenging, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Bella Villa, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will build a personalized, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Bella Villa, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff permits you to control the movement of your arm. For any physical task requiring maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature work 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 larger shoulder muscles and the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and allows you to elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to move your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is crucial in nearly every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Bella Villa, 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 take place when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration happens because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Bella Villa, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to empower you in your recovery.

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

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear totally separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not totally separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day movements over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that they have them. A small injury can often 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 occurs in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often caused by rotator cuff weakness, incorrect posture, and weakness of the muscles surrounding the shoulder.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Typically the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead 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 an experienced physical therapist can decrease symptoms and improve function notably. Our Bella Villa, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will implement a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary everyday activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Bella Villa, 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 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 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 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 harder 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 . Over time, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

Aging is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are because of the general 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 causes for Bella Villa, 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 usually cause instantaneous pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble lifting your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing certain shoulder motions
• 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 specific arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can typically lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Bella Villa, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in tandem 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 evaluated. Early evaluation 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 can lead to chronic pain and injury to your shoulder joint. 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 uncertain as to what the most effective form of treatment is in Bella Villa, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with full-thickness tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. 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 design 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 Bella Villa, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of weakening 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 lead you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 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 closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.