Rotator Cuff Tear in Hazelwood, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical tasks like sports or the physical requirements of your occupation harder, but it can also disrupt daily activities reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Hazelwood, 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 – free from pain. 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 Hazelwood, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Hazelwood, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you require. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to effectively 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. More than two million people each year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks painful, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, 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. On top of keeping your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any physical task needing usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. It’s the teamwork between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, combined with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the great amount of movement in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder which helps with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. 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 lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is key in nearly every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Hazelwood, 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 acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration happens because of overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Regardless of what type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Hazelwood, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to empower you as you heal.

Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:

1. Rotator cuff tears take place 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 transpire because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day motions over time like pitching. They begin with fraying and in time tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a minor injury.
2. 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 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 weakness or incorrect technique.
3. 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 prelude to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated effectively 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 Hazelwood, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will develop a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your local softball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Hazelwood, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer a specific injury. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also known as chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions 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 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 . 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 Hazelwood, 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 generally cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. 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, 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 usually lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Hazelwood, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert with your physician to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective method to have your shoulder examined. 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 raising 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 wondering what the most successful form of treatment is in Hazelwood, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help ameliorate the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, 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. 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 design an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:

• 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 Hazelwood, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result 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 professional and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design a tailored 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 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.