Rotator Cuff Tear in Moscow Mills, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Moscow Mills, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a bespoke treatment plan that will safely return you to full strength and mobility – pain free. 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 Moscow Mills and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as motion experts permit us to effectively lead you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. 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. Over two million people every year nationwide must visit a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If you have experienced a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are simply looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Moscow Mills, 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 Moscow Mills, MO
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. Besides keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional task necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function alongside 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 forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that empowers the great amount of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
- The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.
Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to adequately rotate, raise, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Moscow Mills, 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 take place when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration transpires owing to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Moscow Mills, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your treatment.
There are three principal kinds of rotator cuff injuries:
- Rotator cuff tears transpire as a result 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 day-to-day motions over time like throwing. They start with fraying and eventually tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can regularly reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often caused by weakness or incorrect technique.
- Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Generally the result of 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 lessen symptoms and improve function considerably. Our Moscow Mills, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will implement a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing basic everyday tasks like brushing your teeth pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Moscow Mills, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
A rotator cuff tear can be categorized as one of the following:
- Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear takes place when you suffer a blunt force injury. Maybe you tried 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 are also known as chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
- Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions 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 Supply — As we age 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 result in larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . After a while, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.
Age is the most recognized risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are caused by the general 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 risks for Moscow Mills, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are more difficult to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- 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 affected shoulder
- Weakness in your shoulder
- Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with specific arm movements
- Inability to lift things you can normally lift
If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Moscow Mills, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work together with your physician to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder analyzed. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely heal – or arthritis, which can result in chronic pain and damage to your shoulder joint. 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 Moscow Mills, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help improve the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help manage pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with complete tears or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The expert physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to implement 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:
- 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 Moscow Mills, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you as you heal. 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 as you leave. 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.













































































































































































