Rotator Cuff Tear in Clearwater, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical requirements of your work more difficult, but it can also impede every day activities like brushing your teeth. Our Clearwater, 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 – 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 Clearwater and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our considerable clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Get in touch with a 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 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. More than two million people every 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. Our Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the top 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 allows you to control the movement of your arm. For any functional endeavor requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift 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 rotator cuff consists of:

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 deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a thin muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to 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 requires balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly rotate, lift, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Clearwater, 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 take place when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration occurs owing to overuse or standard weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. No matter what type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Clearwater, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you in your recovery.

There are three principal kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears occur because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear entirely separates the tendon from the bone. Typically, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not entirely separate it from the bone. They can take place as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They start with fraying and after some time tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know 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. The pain is located in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often because of rotator cuff weakness, poor posture, and weakness of the muscles surrounding the shoulder.
3. Impingement happens 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.

All three conditions 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 Clearwater, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to owning your Clearwater, MO pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily activities like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Clearwater, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear occurs when you sustain a specific injury. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements 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 perform a specific motion over and over.
  • 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 infamous for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . 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. Younger people with rotator cuff injuries typically acquire them through acute trauma. Clearwater, 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 experience symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instantaneous pain, but other times the symptoms are more difficult to notice. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the injured shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Clicking, grating, or popping sensations, especially when associated with specific motions
• 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 Clearwater, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in tandem with your physician to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective means of having your shoulder examined. Early examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to wholly recover from – or arthritis, which can result in chronic pain and damage to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandkids over your head or serving an ace.

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 Clearwater, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help improve 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. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases 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 analyze your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to develop 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:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 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 picking the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.