Rotator Cuff Tear in Bloomsdale, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical demands of your work tougher, but it can also hamper daily tasks like brushing your teeth. Our Bloomsdale, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a bespoke 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 Bloomsdale, MO and Missouri is run by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Bloomsdale, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you want. Our extensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as motion experts allow us to effectively lead you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Begin working with a committed 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. Over two million people every year in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks challenging, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Bloomsdale, 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 Bloomsdale, 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 proportionately shallow. On top of keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff helps you lift and rotate your arm. For any physical activity requiring use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, as well as the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the great scope of motion in the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and allows you to lift your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which assists with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
- 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.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, 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 order to have full range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Bloomsdale, 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 gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration happens because of overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Whatever type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Bloomsdale, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.
Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:
- 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 be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily movements over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They begin with fraying and eventually tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people not knowing that they have them. A small injury can often reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
- 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 regularly 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.
- Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. 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 conditions can be treated successfully with conservative treatment such as physical therapy. 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 lessen symptoms and improve function notably. Our Bloomsdale, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary daily activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Bloomsdale, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be categorized as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience a blunt force injury. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
- Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
- Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder motions 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 Flow — As we age our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, making it harder for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is notorious 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 irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading it to fray and tear.
Age is the most recognized risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are caused by the standard wear and tear our bodies are subjected to over time, and are most common in people over the age of 40. Younger people with rotator cuff tears typically acquire them through acute trauma. Bloomsdale, MO residents who work in certain jobs, play certain sports, or repeatedly lift heavy things or consistently move their arms overhead are also at higher risk.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are harder to note. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:
- 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
- Clicking, grating, or popping sensations, especially when associated with specific motions
- Inability to lift things you can normally lift
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you call a medical professional such as the Bloomsdale, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work 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 an easy, cost-effective method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally recover from – or arthritis, which can cause permanent pain and harm to your shoulder joint. We have the expertise 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 best method of treatment is in Bloomsdale, MO. Usually, 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. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help manage pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with full-thickness tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to create an evidence-based, tailored plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:
- 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 Bloomsdale, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because 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 experienced and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you as you heal. Each 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 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 as you leave. Contact us today by selecting the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.
