Rotator Cuff Tear in Berkeley, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Berkeley, 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.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Berkeley and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven 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 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. Over two million people each year in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks difficult, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Berkeley, 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 Berkeley, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. On top of keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and elevate it above your head. For any functional task necessitating use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper limb. 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 stabilizes the head of your humerus and helps you elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced strength and control in order to have optimal 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 acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration happens owing to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Berkeley, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide you as you heal.

There are three basic types 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 as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating daily movements over time like swimming. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. 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 inflammation, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is centered 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 because of rotator cuff weakness, improper posture, and weakness of the muscles bordering the shoulder.
3. Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Normally the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can be a precursor 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 function, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Berkeley, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your local pickleball league, painting your walls, or performing necessary everyday activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Berkeley, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience trauma. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, for example a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can occur when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—like baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your job requires you to carry out a specific motion over and over.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we get older our body sends less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is well known for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we age, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts as the roof of your shoulder . After a while, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

Aging is the most recognized risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are because of the typical 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 risks for Berkeley, 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 normally cause instantaneous pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Difficulty elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the injured shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with specific arm motions
• 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 Berkeley, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work together with your physician to come up with a game plan that will safely and successfully get you back to the activities you love. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, 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 wholly recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up 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 successful means of treatment is in Berkeley, MO. In most cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient 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 rotator cuff tears with complete tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to create 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:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Berkeley, 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 completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create a customized 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 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.