Rotator Cuff Tear in Chain of Rocks, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Chain of Rocks, 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 get you back 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.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Chain of Rocks, MO and Missouri is run by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Chain of Rocks, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you desire. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as motion experts equip us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Begin treatment with a dedicated 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. More than two million people every year nationwide must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks difficult, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Chain of Rocks, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will design a custom-made, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Chain of Rocks, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. In addition to helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff lets you control the movement of your arm. For any functional endeavor necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate 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 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold 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 inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

Moving your arm or shoulder with an injured rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to correctly rotate, lift, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. 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 chief causes of rotator cuff injuries are acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration transpires because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Chain of Rocks, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you in your recovery.

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

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused by trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear entirely separates the tendon from the bone. Normally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not entirely separate it from the bone. They can be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day motions over time like pitching. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can regularly 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 is located 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 caused by rotator cuff weakness, incorrect posture, and weakness of the muscles in the shoulder.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. Impingement syndrome can later lead 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 Chain of Rocks, 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 dominating your local pickleball league, painting your walls, or conducting basic daily activities like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Chain of Rocks, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear happens when you sustain a specific injury. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can transpire when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—for example baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your occupation requires you to carry out a specific motion repetitively.
  • Lack of Blood Flow — 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 notorious for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we get older, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . Bone spurs can lead to impingement, which in turn leads to rotator cuff tears.

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 Chain of Rocks, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instantaneous pain, but other times the symptoms are harder to note. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Difficulty lifting your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing specific shoulder movements
• 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 specific arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you call a medical professional such as the Chain of Rocks, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in concert with your doctor to come up with a game plan that will safely and successfully get you back to the activities you love. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the expertise 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 wondering what the most successful method of treatment is in Chain of Rocks, MO. In most cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help manage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, 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 where the tendon is totally torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to implement 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:

• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Chain of Rocks, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from professional and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build 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.