Rotator Cuff Tear in Imperial, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical demands of your job more painful, but it can also hinder every day tasks like brushing your teeth. Our Imperial, 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 – without any 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 Imperial, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Imperial, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you wish for. Our extensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Reach out to a physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or discover more about the location most convenient for you.

A rotator cuff tear can be the result of trauma or overuse over time. Over two million people every year in the United States must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If you have experienced a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are simply looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Imperial, 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 Imperial, 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. Besides helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff lets you raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any physical endeavor requiring maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift 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 larger shoulder muscles and the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a thin muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side 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 allows you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is important in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. If you’re experiencing pain or limited motion in your shoulder, come see Axes for a free injury screening.

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place due to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Whatever sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Imperial, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you in your treatment.

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

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused by 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 daily motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that they have them. 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 centered in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often caused by rotator cuff weakness, poor posture, and weakness of the muscles around the shoulder.
3. Impingement occurs when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Generally the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated effectively with conservative treatment such as 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 Imperial, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing necessary daily tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Imperial, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear occurs when you experience 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 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 — As we age our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. 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 . Over time, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

Getting older is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are the result of the typical wear and tear our bodies are subjected to over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Imperial, 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 usually cause instantaneous pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Difficulty lifting 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 normally lift

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Imperial, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your physician to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective means of having your shoulder analyzed. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent 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 knowledge and skill to return 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 wondering what the best method of treatment is in Imperial, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods 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 the activities you love. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help decrease pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears 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 assess your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to create an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to what you love doing, 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 Imperial, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from professional and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create 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 heal from your rotator cuff tear, and we look forward to seeing 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.