Rotator Cuff Tear in Hawk Point, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Hawk Point, 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 Hawk Point, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Hawk Point, MO area achieve the mobility and physical health you want. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively lead 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. Over two million people every year nationwide must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Hawk Point, 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 Hawk Point, 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. On top of holding your shoulder in place, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and elevate it above your head. For any physical activity requiring maneuvering 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 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 rotator cuff is made up of:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and helps you raise your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
- The teres minor is a thin muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to move your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.
Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in order to have full range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Hawk Point, 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 chief causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration occurs owing to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Whatever sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Hawk Point, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.
Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:
- Rotator cuff tears happen as a result 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 be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily movements over time like throwing. They start with fraying and eventually tear. 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), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy frequently 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 technique.
- Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Normally the result of overhead activities. 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 safe and effective treatment. 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 decrease symptoms and improve function notably. Our Hawk Point, 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 everyday activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Hawk Point, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
The two types of rotator cuff tears are:
- Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience a specific injury. Maybe you fell 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 cause tendons to fray and tear. This can happen when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—including baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to carry out a specific motion repetitively.
- 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 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 causes for Hawk Point, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always exhibit symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are harder to notice. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Difficulty elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness when carrying out certain 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 Hawk Point, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. 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. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing 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 get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting 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 wondering what the most effective form of treatment is in Hawk Point, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is totally 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, personalized 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 Hawk Point, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of weakening 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 effectively shepherd 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 restore your movement health and help you heal from your rotator cuff tear, and we can’t wait to see you once again able to high-five your clinical team as you leave. 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.
