Rotator Cuff Tear in Holstein, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical requirements of your job harder, but it can also affect every day activities reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Holstein, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a tailored 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 on your road to recovery.
Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Holstein, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Holstein, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you wish for. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as motion experts allow us to successfully shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff injury. 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 each year nationwide must see a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks challenging, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Holstein, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will create a tailored, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.
The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Holstein, MO
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. In addition to keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff lets you control the movement of your arm. For any physical endeavor requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. 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 rotator cuff consists of:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting 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 narrow muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to adequately 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 principal causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration transpires because of overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. No matter what sort of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Holstein, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.
There are three principal types of rotator cuff injuries:
- Rotator cuff tears take place 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 be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day motions over time like throwing. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a light injury.
- 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 frequently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often caused by weakness or incorrect posture.
- Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Normally the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead 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 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 Holstein, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will develop a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your Holstein, MO softball league, painting your walls, or carrying out basic everyday tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Holstein, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
The two types of rotator cuff tears are:
- Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear occurs when you sustain a specific injury. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
- Degenerative Tears — These can also be called 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 — As we get older our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can result in larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we get older, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . After a while, the bone can irritate 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 go through life. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Holstein, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are harder to note. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:
- Difficulty raising your arm
- Pain or soreness when carrying out 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 have any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Holstein, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work together with your doctor 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 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 entirely recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the expertise and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s raising your grandkids 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 best form of treatment is in Holstein, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, 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 cases where the tendon is totally torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to make an evidence-based, personalized 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:
- 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 Holstein, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear occured 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 knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create 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 as you leave. 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.













