Rotator Cuff Tear Bismarck, MO | Physical and Occupational Therapy

Rotator Cuff Tear in Bismarck, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Bismarck, 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 on your road to recovery.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Bismarck, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Bismarck, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you wish for. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts allow us to effectively guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. 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 every year in the United States must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are only looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, 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. In addition to keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional task needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise 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 the surrounding musculoskeletal structure of the shoulder. The rotator cuff contains:

The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which assists with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most powerful 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 crucial in almost every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires 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 Bismarck, 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.

Rotator Cuff Tear Bismarck, MO | Occupational and Physical Therapy | Sports Injury

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object 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 feeling in your shoulder, the Bismarck, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your recovery.

There are three main sorts of rotator cuff injuries:

Rotator cuff tears are caused because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear completely separates the tendon from the bone. Usually, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not completely separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day motions over time like swimming. They start with fraying and in time tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a light injury.
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 frequently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often because of weakness or incorrect posture.
Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. 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 a highly-knowledgeable physical therapist can assuage symptoms and better function remarkably. Our Bismarck, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary daily tasks like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Bismarck, 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. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
Degenerative Tears — These are also called 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—including baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform 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 — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we age, 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 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 the age of 40. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Bismarck, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more difficult to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

Difficulty raising your arm
Pain or soreness with certain shoulder motions
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 normally lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you contact a medical professional such as the Bismarck, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in tandem with your physician to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, 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 recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to get 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 asking yourself what the best means of treatment is in Bismarck, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears where the tendon is completely torn or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The licensed 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 design an evidence-based, personalized plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of weakening over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from expert and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you as you heal. 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 heal from your rotator cuff tear, and we can’t wait to see you once again able to high-five your clinical team on your way out. Contact us today by selecting the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.