Rotator Cuff Tear in Jefferson Barracks, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Jefferson Barracks, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy caters each treatment plan specifically to each client, their injury, and their desired activity level. Fill out our online form or schedule an appointment today to get started on your road to recovery.
All of our physical therapy clinics in Jefferson Barracks and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our considerable clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts permit us to effectively guide you in heal your rotator cuff tear. 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 nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. 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, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Jefferson Barracks, 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 Jefferson Barracks, MO
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. In addition to keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and lift it over your head. For any functional activity needing usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate alongside 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:
- 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 aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to extend your arm outward and keep the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most forceful of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
Moving your arm or shoulder with an injured rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in order to have full range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Jefferson Barracks, 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 acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place due to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Jefferson Barracks, 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:
- Rotator cuff tears occur 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. Normally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not entirely separate it from the bone. They can be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day motions over time like pitching. 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 minor 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 people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often due to rotator cuff weakness, improper posture, and weakness of the muscles around the shoulder.
- Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Normally occurring with 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 function, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Jefferson Barracks, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a personalized 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 performing necessary everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Jefferson Barracks, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be classified as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear takes place when you experience a specific injury. Maybe you tried to lift something too heavy. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
- Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
- Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—such as baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your occupation requires you to carry out a certain motion repetitively.
- Lack of Blood Supply — 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 . Over time, 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 risks for Jefferson Barracks, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:
- Trouble raising your arm
- Pain or soreness with specific shoulder movements
- Pain at night or when resting, especially 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 imperative that you contact a medical professional such as the Jefferson Barracks, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in tandem 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 method to have your shoulder examined. Early examination 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 can lead to chronic pain and harm to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up your grandchildren 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 uncertain as to what the best means of treatment is in Jefferson Barracks, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help improve the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with full-thickness tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to design an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to what you love doing, 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:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Jefferson Barracks, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened 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 professional and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is different, 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 recover your movement health and help you recover 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 selecting the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.
