Rotator Cuff Tear in Brentwood, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical requirements of your job more painful, but it can also disrupt every day activities reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Brentwood, 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 – free from pain. 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 Brentwood and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff tear. Start working with a dedicated physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or find out 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 see a doctor or physical therapist due 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 just looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Brentwood, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will build a tailored, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Brentwood, 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 shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any physical endeavor requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper extremity. It’s the synergy between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, along with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that allow us the large scope of movement in the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that holds in place the head of your humerus and permits you to lift your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder which aids rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a thin muscle that works in tandem with 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 strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is essential in nearly every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires 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 Brentwood, 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 leading causes of rotator cuff injuries are acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Regardless of what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Brentwood, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.

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

1. Rotator cuff tears happen as a result of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear wholly separates the tendon from the bone. Normally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages 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 repetitive every day movements over time like pitching. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. 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.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often because of weakness or incorrect posture.
3. 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 an experienced physical therapist can reduce symptoms and improve function notably. Our Brentwood, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary everyday tasks like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Brentwood, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

A rotator cuff tear can be classified as one of the following:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer trauma. Maybe you attempted to lift something you shoulder could not support. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also referred to as 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 lead to tendons fraying and tearing. These are common in sports like swimming and baseball, or jobs that require repeated overhead lifting.
  • Lack of Blood Flow — 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 lead to larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we get older, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts as the roof of your shoulder . Over time, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

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 Brentwood, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

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

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness with 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 certain arm motions
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you reach out to a medical professional such as the Brentwood, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work together with your physician to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, 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 totally heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the expertise and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandkids 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 wondering what the best method of treatment is in Brentwood, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, 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 cases with complete tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to build an evidence-based, customized 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 Brentwood, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from expert and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 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.