Rotator Cuff Tear in Desoto, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Desoto, 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.
Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Desoto, MO and Missouri is run by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to helping individuals like you in the Desoto, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you wish for. Our considerable clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts equip us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Get in touch with a 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 in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks difficult, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Desoto, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will develop a bespoke, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.
The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Desoto, 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 relatively shallow. On top of helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff helps you lift and rotate your arm. For any functional endeavor needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function together with 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:
- The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which helps with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, 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 properly rotate, elevate, 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 fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Desoto, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you as you recover.
Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:
- Rotator cuff tears happen because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear completely separates the tendon from the bone. Typically, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not totally separate it from the bone. They can be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating every day movements over time like throwing. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears show no symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can regularly 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 surrounding the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often caused by weakness or incorrect posture.
- Impingement occurs when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm movements. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. 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 safe and effective treatment. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist can lessen symptoms and better function considerably. Our Desoto, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out basic daily activities like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Desoto, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
The two types of rotator cuff tears are:
- Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear happens when you suffer a specific injury. Maybe you attempted to lift something you shoulder could not support. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
- Degenerative Tears — These are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
- 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 — 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 — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we become older, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . After a while, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading 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 Desoto, 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 harder to note. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:
- Trouble lifting 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
- Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with certain arm motions
- Inability to lift things you can normally lift
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you reach out to a medical professional such as the Desoto, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. 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 an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder examined. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the know-how and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s raising your grandchildren 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 most successful means of treatment is in Desoto, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears where the tendon is wholly torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The expert 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 make an evidence-based, personalized 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:
- 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 Desoto, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because 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 expert and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 recover from your rotator cuff tear, and we can’t wait to see 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.
