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 painful. 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 – pain free. 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 Chain of Rocks 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 motion experts equip us to successfully guide you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Start working with a devoted 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. Over two million people each year nationwide must see a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks painful, make 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 build a tailored, evidence-based therapy treatment plan 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 set 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 lift and rotate your arm. For any physical task needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper extremity. 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 balances the head of your humerus and permits you to lift your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to extend your arm outward and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most sizable 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 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 Chain of Rocks, 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 chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration occurs owing to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what 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 empower you as you recover.

There are three principal kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears take place because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear totally separates the tendon from the bone. Generally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not wholly 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. They begin with fraying and in time tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears show no symptoms with many people not knowing that 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 weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is located in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Typically occurring with overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can be a prelude to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three injuries can be treated successfully 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 build a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary daily tasks like pouring a cup of coffee 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 type of rotator cuff tear takes place when you suffer trauma. Maybe you tried to lift something you shoulder could not support. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • Repetitive Stress — 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 Supply — As we age our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, making it harder for the body to heal small tears, which can result in larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we get older, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves 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 risks for Chain of Rocks, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always exhibit symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instantaneous pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to notice. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Difficulty elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness with certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, especially 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 typically lift

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you reach out to 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. 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 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 uncertain as to what the best form of treatment is in Chain of Rocks, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help manage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with full-thickness tears 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 alongside you to develop an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to what you love doing, 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:

• 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 Chain of Rocks, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of weakening over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build a personalized 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 recover 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.