Rotator Cuff Tear in Foley, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Foley, 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 – pain free. 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 Foley, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Foley, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you desire. Our substantial clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts permit us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Reach out to 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 every year in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are only looking for enduring and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Foley, 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 Foley, 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. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to control the movement of your arm. For any functional activity necessitating use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift 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 balances the head of your humerus and permits you to lift your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder which aids rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you 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 has balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to correctly 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
The two leading causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object or overstretch your arm. Degeneration transpires owing to overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Foley, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.
There are three basic kinds of rotator cuff injuries:
- Rotator cuff tears are caused by trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear completely separates the tendon from the bone. Generally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not wholly separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating daily motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that 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 because of rotator cuff weakness, poor posture, and weakness of the muscles bordering the shoulder.
- Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. Impingement syndrome can be a precursor to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.
All three injuries can be treated successfully with conservative treatment like physical therapy. 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 Foley, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Foley, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be designated as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear takes place when you sustain trauma. 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 can also be 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 notorious for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . After a while, the bone can rub against 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 go through life. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Foley, 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 immediate pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to note. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:
- Difficulty elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness with specific shoulder motions
- 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’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Foley, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work together with your physician 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 examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally recover from – or arthritis, which can lead to permanent pain and injury to your shoulder joint. We have the expertise and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up 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 asking yourself what the best method of treatment is in Foley, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help ameliorate the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. 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 entirely torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The expert 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 create an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:
- 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 Foley, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened 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 compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 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 selecting the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.
