Rotator Cuff Tear in Leadington, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Leadington, 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 with healing your rotator cuff injury.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Leadington, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Leadington, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you desire. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts permit us to successfully shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff tear. 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. More than two million people every 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 difficult, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Leadington, 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 Leadington, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to control the movement of your arm. For any functional activity necessitating use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the teamwork between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that allow us the substantial amount of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder which assists with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is fundamental in almost every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to correctly rotate, elevate, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Leadington, 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 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. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Leadington, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you in your recovery.

There are three basic kinds of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears happen as a result of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear totally separates the tendon from the bone. Typically, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not entirely separate it from the bone. They can occur as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive day-to-day motions over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can regularly reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. The pain is located in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect posture.
3. Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Normally the result of overhead activities. 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 safe and effective treatment. 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 reduce symptoms and ameliorate function considerably. Our Leadington, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary everyday activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Leadington, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

A rotator cuff tear can be designated as one of the following:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear occurs when you experience a specific injury. Maybe you attempted to lift something you shoulder could not support. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, for example 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 cause tendons to fray and tear. These are common in sports like swimming and baseball, or jobs that require repeated overhead lifting.
  • Lack of Blood Flow — As we age our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is notorious for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we become older, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts as the roof of your shoulder . Over time, the bone can irritate 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. Younger people with rotator cuff tears typically develop them through acute trauma. Leadington, 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 symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears typically cause instantaneous pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness with specific shoulder motions
• Pain at night or when resting, especially 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 Leadington, 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 means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preventing 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 lifting 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 form of treatment is in Leadington, MO. In most cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help improve the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help manage pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with complete tears or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to create an evidence-based, tailored 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:

• 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 Leadington, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured 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 experienced and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you as you heal. Every 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 restore 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 as you leave. Contact us today by picking the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.