Rotator Cuff Tear in Lakeshire, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Lakeshire, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a custom-made treatment plan that will safely return you to full strength and mobility – free from pain. 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 Lakeshire and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts permit us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Start treatment with a committed 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 in the United States must see a doctor or physical therapist because of 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 simply looking for enduring and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Lakeshire, 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 Lakeshire, 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 shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any physical endeavor necessitating maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature 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 powerful muscles, combined with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the large amount of motion in the shoulder. The rotator cuff contains:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting 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 slender muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most forceful of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is key in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal 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 happen when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration happens because of overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Lakeshire, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to empower you as you heal.

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 transpire because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily movements over time like pitching. They begin with fraying and in 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 degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside 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.
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.

Licensed physical therapists can help you recover from any of these injuries with a personalized treatment plan. 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 Lakeshire, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your neighborhood pickleball league, painting your walls, or performing necessary daily activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Lakeshire, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer a specific injury. Maybe you attempted to lift something you shoulder could not support. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. This can happen when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—like baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to carry out a specific motion repetitively.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we age our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can lead to larger tears. The rotator cuff is notorious for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we become older, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . Bone spurs can lead to impingement, which in turn leads to rotator cuff tears.

Age is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are caused by the typical wear and tear our bodies are subjected to over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Lakeshire, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to notice. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Difficulty elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out certain shoulder movements
• 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 movements
• Inability to lift things you can normally lift

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Lakeshire, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up 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 wondering what the best form of treatment is in Lakeshire, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help ameliorate the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. 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 evaluate your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to develop 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:

• 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 Lakeshire, 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 empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you in your recovery. 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 heal from your rotator cuff tear, and we can’t wait to see 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.