Rotator Cuff Tear in Kirkwood, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical tasks like sports or the physical requirements of your occupation tougher, but it can also hinder every day tasks like brushing your teeth. Our Kirkwood, 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 return you to full strength and mobility – pain free. 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 Kirkwood and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as motion experts allow us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Begin working with a devoted 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 every year in the United States must visit 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 permanent and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Kirkwood, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will build a personalized, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Kirkwood, 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. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff helps you raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any functional activity necessitating use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, along with the bony anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the great range of movement in the shoulder. The rotator cuff consists of:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is key in nearly every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Kirkwood, 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 sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object or overstretch your arm. Degeneration occurs owing to overuse or standard weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Kirkwood, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you in your treatment.

There are three main kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

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 repetitive daily movements over time like swimming. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can often reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is centered in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy often happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of rotator cuff weakness, improper posture, and weakness of the muscles in the shoulder.
3. Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. 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 a personalized treatment plan. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist can decrease symptoms and improve function remarkably. Our Kirkwood, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Kirkwood, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear transpires when you sustain trauma. 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. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can occur 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 Flow — As we get older our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, making it more difficult 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 — 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.

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. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Kirkwood, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always show symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instantaneous pain, but other times the symptoms are more difficult to note. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Difficulty elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness with specific shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly 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 typically lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Kirkwood, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in tandem with your physician 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 an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder analyzed. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the know-how and skill to get 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 wondering what the best means of treatment is in Kirkwood, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help assuage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases 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 alongside you to design 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:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result 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 expert and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 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 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.