Rotator Cuff Tear in Foley, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical demands of your work more painful, but it can also hinder every day tasks pouring a cup of coffee. Our Foley, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a personalized treatment plan that will safely get you back 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.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Foley and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts equip us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff tear. Reach out to 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 every year nationwide must see a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks painful, 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 set 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 functional task necessitating maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. 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 rotator cuff consists of:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and helps you raise your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a thin muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to extend your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most powerful of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is crucial in nearly every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal 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 Foley, 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

The two principal causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration occurs due to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Foley, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to empower you in your treatment.

There are three basic types 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 completely separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not wholly separate it from the bone. They can be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-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. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a light injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. The pain is located 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 technique.
3. Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Typically occurring with overhead activities. 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 function, 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 implement a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary daily activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Foley, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

A rotator cuff tear can be classified as one of the following:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear takes place when you experience a blunt force injury. 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 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 — As we get older our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, making it more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. 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 . Bone spurs can lead to impingement, which in turn leads to rotator cuff tears.

Getting older is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are the result of the typical wear and tear our bodies experience over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Younger people with rotator cuff tears normally develop them through acute trauma. Foley, 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 occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally 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 typically 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 coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. 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 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 means of treatment is in Foley, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices 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 the activities you love. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help limit pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with complete tears 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 plan for you. We will work with 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:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention

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 degeneration over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from expert and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, 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 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 nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.