Rotator Cuff Tear in Kirkwood, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as motion experts permit us to effectively shepherd you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Get in touch with 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 each year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks challenging, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 proportionately shallow. On top of helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff helps you control the movement of your arm. For any functional endeavor necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper limb. 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 rotator cuff contains:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle behind the shoulder which helps with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to move your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
The rotator cuff is crucial in nearly every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced strength and control in order to have full 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 chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration occurs due to overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Kirkwood, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.
There are three principal types of rotator cuff injuries:
- Rotator cuff tears occur as a result 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 be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive day-to-day movements over time like swimming. They start with fraying and eventually tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people not knowing that they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a minor injury.
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is inflammation, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often because of weakness or incorrect technique.
- Impingement occurs when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Usually occurring with overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can be a prelude 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 Kirkwood, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your neighborhood pickleball league, painting your walls, or conducting basic everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.
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 type of rotator cuff tear occurs when you sustain a blunt force 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 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 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 . 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 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 feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are harder to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Difficulty elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness with certain shoulder motions
- 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 usually lift
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you contact a medical professional such as the Kirkwood, 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 method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely heal – or arthritis, which can result in permanent pain and damage to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandchildren 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 most successful method of treatment is in Kirkwood, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help improve the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is completely torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to build an evidence-based, customized 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:
- Shoulder Pain Treatment
- Back Pain Treatment
- 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
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 experienced and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build 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 heal from your rotator cuff tear, and we can’t wait to see you once again able to high-five your clinical team as you leave. 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.
