Rotator Cuff Tear in Liguori, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Liguori, 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 get you back to full strength and mobility – without any pain. 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 Liguori, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Liguori, MO area achieve the mobility and physical health you desire. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively guide you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Begin working with a dedicated 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 each year in the United States must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks challenging, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Liguori, 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 Liguori, 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 lets you lift and rotate your arm. For any physical activity requiring maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. The wide range of motion our arms and shoulders have is due to our rotator cuff working in tandem with the surrounding musculoskeletal structure of the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

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 deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is vital in almost every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to adequately rotate, elevate, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Liguori, 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

The two basic causes of rotator cuff injuries are acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can take place when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration transpires because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. No matter what type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Liguori, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your recovery.

There are three principal types of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears happen because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear entirely separates the tendon from the bone. Typically, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not totally separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day motions over time like throwing. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a light injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is inflammation, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often due to rotator cuff weakness, improper posture, and weakness of the muscles bordering the shoulder.
3. Impingement transpires 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 be a precursor to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated successfully 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 an experienced physical therapist can reduce symptoms and ameliorate function remarkably. Our Liguori, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary everyday activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Liguori, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear takes place when you experience trauma. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, for example a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder movements 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 Flow — As we get older our body carries less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can lead to larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we age, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts as the roof of your shoulder . 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 go through life. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Liguori, 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 typically cause instantaneous pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more subtle. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Difficulty raising your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out specific shoulder motions
• Pain at night or when resting, especially if you’re lying on the affected shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with certain arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you contact a medical professional such as the Liguori, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to wholly heal – or arthritis, which can lead to 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 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 asking yourself what the most effective means of treatment is in Liguori, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, 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 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 build 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 Liguori, 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 expert and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create a customized 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 heal 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 picking the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.