Rotator Cuff Tear in Herculaneum, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Herculaneum, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a bespoke 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 Herculaneum, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to helping individuals like you in the Herculaneum, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you require. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as motion 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 find out 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 each year in the United States must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist owing to 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 enduring and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Herculaneum, 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 Herculaneum, MO
The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. On top of helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff lets you lift and rotate your arm. For any functional endeavor requiring use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function alongside 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 permits us the large scope of movement in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the largest 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 fundamental in basically every sort 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 Herculaneum, 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
Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can take place when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration transpires due to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Regardless of what type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Herculaneum, 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 are caused because 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 the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive day-to-day motions 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 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. The pain is located in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often because of weakness or incorrect posture.
- Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Typically occurring with overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.
All three conditions can be treated successfully with conservative treatment such as physical therapy. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist can decrease symptoms and ameliorate function significantly. Our Herculaneum, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary everyday tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Herculaneum, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be classified as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear takes place when you suffer a specific injury. Maybe you attempted to lift something too heavy. 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 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 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 infamous 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, causing 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 become older. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Herculaneum, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Trouble elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness with specific shoulder movements
- 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 normally lift
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Herculaneum, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in concert 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 means of having 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 recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s raising your grandchildren 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 wondering what the best method of treatment is in Herculaneum, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help manage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is totally torn or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The professional 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 develop an evidence-based, tailored 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:
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Post Surgical Rehabilitation
- Shin Splint Treatment
- Direct Access Physical Therapy
- Gait Analysis
- Pelvic Floor Therapy
- Dry Needling Near Me
- Tendonitis Treatment
- Manual Physical Therapy
- Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Herculaneum, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from experienced and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you in your recovery. Every 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 restore 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 selecting the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.
