Rotator Cuff Tear in Ironton, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Ironton, 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 – without any pain. Fill out our online form or schedule an appointment today to get started with healing your rotator cuff injury.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Ironton and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as motion experts allow us to successfully guide you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. 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. More than two million people every year nationwide must see a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If you have suffered a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Ironton, 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 Ironton, 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 relatively shallow. Besides helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff helps you lift and rotate your arm. For any physical activity needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature work alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper limb. It’s the teamwork between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, as well as the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the large scope of motion in the shoulder. The rotator cuff consists of:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and permits you to lift your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder which helps with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to extend your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the strongest 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 balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly rotate, elevate, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Ironton, 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 leading causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Ironton, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your recovery.

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

1. Rotator cuff tears happen because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear totally separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not wholly separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating daily movements over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They begin with fraying and in time 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.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is inflammation, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. 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 such as physical therapy. While individualized physical therapy can reduce symptoms and improve function, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Ironton, 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 dominating your local pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary daily tasks like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Ironton, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear occurs when you experience a blunt force injury. Maybe you tried to lift something you shoulder could not support. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Activities — 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 notorious 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 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 risks for Ironton, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears typically cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are harder to notice. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the affected shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with specific arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can typically lift

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Ironton, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your doctor to come up with a game plan that will safely and successfully get you back to the activities you love. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally recover from – or arthritis, which can cause chronic pain and injury to your shoulder joint. We have the expertise 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 serving an ace.

Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear

If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be uncertain as to what the best form of treatment is in Ironton, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help ameliorate 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 rotator cuff tears with full-thickness tears 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 method for you. We will work alongside you to implement an evidence-based, personalized 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:

• 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
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Ironton, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from professional and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 as you leave. Contact us today by picking the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.