Rotator Cuff Tear in Marlborough, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical requirements of your occupation harder, but it can also hamper basic activities pouring a cup of coffee. Our Marlborough, 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.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Marlborough and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as motion experts allow us to effectively guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Get in touch with a physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or find out 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 in the United States must schedule a visit with 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 only looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. On top of holding your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff lets you control the movement of your arm. For any physical activity requiring maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate 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:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and permits you to raise your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in tandem with 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 most powerful 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 indispensable in almost every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in order to have full range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Marlborough, 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 acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration transpires because of overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Marlborough, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you as you heal.

There are three basic types of rotator cuff injuries:

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 be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily motions over time like pitching. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a mild injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain occurs in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often due to weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm movements. Normally the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated successfully with conservative treatment like physical therapy. 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 Marlborough, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design 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 conducting basic daily tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Marlborough, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• 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 accompany other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These can also be 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 job requires you to perform a certain motion repeatedly.
  • 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 notorious 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 Marlborough, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause immediate pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more difficult to note. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out specific shoulder motions
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly 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 typically lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Marlborough, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. 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 a simple, cost-effective method to have your shoulder analyzed. Early examination and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s raising 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 wondering what the best method of treatment is in Marlborough, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help manage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with complete tears or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to make an evidence-based, tailored 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:

• 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
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Marlborough, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because 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 professional and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively lead you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 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 selecting the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.