Rotator Cuff Tear in Clover Bottom, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical demands of your job tougher, but it can also hinder every day activities reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Clover Bottom, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy caters each treatment plan specifically to each client, their injury, and their desired activity level. 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 Clover Bottom and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to effectively shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Reach out to 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. More than two million people every year in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks challenging, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Clover Bottom, 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 Clover Bottom, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff helps you control the movement of your arm. For any functional activity needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that empowers the great range of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and allows you to raise your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most forceful of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is essential in almost every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly 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

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can take place when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Clover Bottom, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to empower you in your treatment.

There are three main kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears occur as a result of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear completely separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not wholly separate it from the bone. They can take place because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive day-to-day movements over time like throwing. They begin with fraying and in time tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can often 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 occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often due to weakness or incorrect posture.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Usually the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three injuries 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 better function significantly. Our Clover Bottom, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your local pickleball league, painting your walls, or carrying out basic daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Clover Bottom, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear occurs when you sustain trauma. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. These are common in sports like swimming and baseball, or jobs that require repeated overhead lifting.
  • 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 well known for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we age, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts as the roof of your shoulder . After a while, 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 go through life. Younger people with rotator cuff injuries frequently acquire them through acute trauma. Clover Bottom, MO residents who work in certain occupations, 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, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more difficult to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness with certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, especially 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’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Clover Bottom, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in tandem with your physician 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 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 heal – or arthritis, which can result in permanent pain and damage to your shoulder joint. We have the knowledge and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandchildren 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 uncertain as to what the best method of treatment is in Clover Bottom, 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. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is completely torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to implement an evidence-based, personalized 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:

• MCL Injury
• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention
• Mobility
• Knee Injury
• Joint Pain
• Sciatica
• Dry Needling
• ACL Tear
• Pain Management

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of weakening over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build a customized 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 can’t wait to see you once again able to high-five your clinical team as you leave. Contact us today by choosing the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.