Rotator Cuff Tear in Des Peres, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical requirements of your occupation tougher, but it can also hamper every day tasks reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Des Peres, 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 on your road to recovery.
Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Des Peres, MO and Missouri is run by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Des Peres, MO area achieve the mobility and physical health you want. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively lead you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Get in touch with a physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or learn 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 each year in the United States must visit a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks painful, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Des Peres, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will implement a bespoke, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.
The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Des Peres, MO
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. Besides keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff lets you raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any physical task needing use 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 collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the substantial scope of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
- The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
The rotator cuff is fundamental in basically every sort of shoulder movement. 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 have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Des Peres, 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 sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration takes place because of overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Des Peres, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to empower you as you heal.
Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:
- Rotator cuff tears are caused because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. The most common tear is a partial tear, which damages a tendon, while a full-thickness tear completely separates a tendon from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can frequently reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy often happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often due to weakness or incorrect posture.
- Impingement occurs when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Normally the result of overhead activities. 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 a personalized treatment plan. While individualized physical therapy can reduce symptoms and improve movement, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Des Peres, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will develop a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary daily activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Des Peres, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be designated as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience trauma. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, for example 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 movements 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 Supply — 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 occur as we age, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts 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 go through life. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Des Peres, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Trouble raising your arm
- Pain or soreness when carrying out specific 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 normally lift
If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Des Peres, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert with your physician to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective means of having your shoulder analyzed. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to wholly recover from – 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 striking out the side.
Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear
If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be asking yourself what the most successful method of treatment is in Des Peres, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help assuage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help decrease 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 analyze your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside 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:
- 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 Des Peres, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened 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 professional and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create 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 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 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.
