Rotator Cuff Tear in Labadie, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical demands of your occupation more difficult, but it can also affect daily activities writing. Our Labadie, 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 Labadie and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to effectively shepherd 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. More than two million people each year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If you have sustained 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 Labadie, 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 Labadie, 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. As well as holding your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arm. For any physical task necessitating maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature work in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the synergy between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the large scope of movement in the shoulder. The rotator cuff contains:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and helps you raise your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most powerful of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
The rotator cuff is essential in basically every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to correctly rotate, lift, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Labadie, 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 chronic degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration happens due to overuse or normal 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 Labadie, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.
There are three basic kinds of rotator cuff injuries:
- 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 happen because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive day-to-day movements over time like pitching. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can frequently reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
- 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 surrounding the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often caused by weakness or incorrect technique.
- Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Generally occurring with overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.
All three conditions can be treated effectively with conservative treatment like physical therapy. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with a highly-trained physical therapist can decrease symptoms and better function notably. Our Labadie, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to owning your Labadie, MO pickleball league, painting your walls, or carrying out basic everyday activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Labadie, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
The two types of rotator cuff tears are:
- Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear takes place when you experience a blunt force injury. Maybe you attempted 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 can also be called 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 occur when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—for example baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your job requires you to perform a specific motion repetitively.
- Lack of Blood Supply — 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 cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we get older, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . After a while, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading 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 causes for Labadie, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instantaneous pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Difficulty elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness when performing certain shoulder motions
- Pain at night or when resting, especially if you’re lying on the injured shoulder
- Weakness in your shoulder
- Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with certain arm motions
- Inability to lift things you can normally lift
If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Labadie, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert 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 a simple, 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 wholly recover from – or arthritis, which can cause permanent pain and injury 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 raising 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 method of treatment is in Labadie, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help ameliorate the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is wholly torn or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to create 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:
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
- Post Surgical Rehabilitation
- Shin Splint Treatment
- Direct Access Physical Therapy
- Gait Analysis
- Pelvic Floor Therapy
- Dry Needling Near Me
- Tendonitis Treatment
- Manual Physical Therapy
- Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Labadie, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of weakening over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from experienced and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 recover 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 choosing the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.