Rotator Cuff Tear in Femme Osage, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Femme Osage, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a tailored treatment plan that will safely return you to full strength and mobility – without any 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 Femme Osage and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as motion experts allow us to effectively 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. Over two million people each year nationwide must visit a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If you have suffered a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are simply looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Femme Osage, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will build a bespoke, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Femme Osage, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. In addition to helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arm. For any physical endeavor necessitating use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. It’s the synergy between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, along with the bony anatomy of the shoulder, that allow us the great amount of movement in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

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 which helps with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a thin muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward 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 lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is important in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. 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 chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration takes place because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what kind of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Femme Osage, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide you as you recover.

There are three basic sorts of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused 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. Generally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not completely separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily motions over time like throwing. They start with fraying and ultimately tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people living with them unknowingly. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a mild injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. The pain occurs in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often caused by weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm movements. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. Impingement syndrome can be a prelude 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 some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with a highly-trained physical therapist can reduce symptoms and ameliorate function considerably. Our Femme Osage, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to owning your neighborhood pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary daily tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Femme Osage, 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 occurs when you suffer trauma. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, such as 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. This can occur when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—such as baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to carry out a certain motion over and over.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we get older our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we age, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves 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 become older. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Femme Osage, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are harder 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, particularly 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’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Femme Osage, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work together 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 an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder examined. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely heal – 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 picking up your grandkids over your head or swimming 400 meters.

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 form of treatment is in Femme Osage, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough 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 decrease pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases with full-thickness tears or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to create 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:

• 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
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Femme Osage, 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 knowledgeable and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you in your recovery. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 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 on your way out. 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.