Rotator Cuff Tear in Kinloch, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Kinloch, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a personalized 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.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Kinloch, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Kinloch, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you wish for. Our considerable clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts permit us to successfully guide 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. More than two million people each year nationwide must schedule a visit with 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 difficult, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Kinloch, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will design a custom-made, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Kinloch, 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 keeping your shoulder in place, the rotator cuff helps you lift and rotate your arm. For any functional endeavor requiring use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the large amount of movement in the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and allows you to raise your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is crucial in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly rotate, raise, 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

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration takes place because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Kinloch, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you as you recover.

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

1. 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 repeating daily movements over time like throwing. They start with fraying and after some time tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can often 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. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy often 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 bordering the shoulder.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. 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 like 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 Kinloch, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out basic daily tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Kinloch, 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 experience 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 are also known as chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. This can transpire when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—like baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your occupation requires you to carry out a certain motion repetitively.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — 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 lead to larger tears. The rotator cuff is well known 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 . Over time, 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. Younger people with rotator cuff tears frequently acquire them through acute trauma. Kinloch, MO residents who work in certain occupations, play certain sports, or repeatedly lift heavy things or consistently move their arms overhead are also at higher risk.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

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

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Kinloch, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work together with your physician 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 method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the expertise and skill to get 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 uncertain as to what the best form of treatment is in Kinloch, MO. Typically, 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 on its own, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help limit pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with complete tears or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to make 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:

• 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 Kinloch, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened 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 knowledgeable and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build a tailored 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 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 closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.