Rotator Cuff Tear in Oakland, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical demands of your work more painful, but it can also hamper every day activities pouring a cup of coffee. Our Oakland, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a personalized 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 with healing your rotator cuff injury.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Oakland and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our substantial clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts allow us to successfully lead you in heal your rotator cuff injury. 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 in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If you have experienced 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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. Besides helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff permits you to raise your arm and elevate it over your head. For any physical activity needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, combined with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the great amount of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that holds in place the head of your humerus and helps you elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you 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 balanced strength and control in order to have optimal 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 sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you lift a heavy object or overstretch your arm. Degeneration happens due to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Oakland, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you recover.

There are three main types of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears happen 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 transpire as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily movements over time like pitching. 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. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a minor injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. 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 because of 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.

All three injuries can be treated successfully with conservative treatment such as 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 Oakland, 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 owning your local pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Oakland, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear happens when you experience a blunt force injury. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—such as baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform a certain motion repeatedly.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we get older our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is well known for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . Over time, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing 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 become older. Younger people with rotator cuff tears frequently develop them through acute trauma. Oakland, MO residents who work in certain jobs, 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 a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instantaneous pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble lifting your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing specific shoulder movements
• 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 experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you contact a medical professional such as the Oakland, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work together with your physician 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 recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the know-how and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up your grandkids 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 asking yourself what the most successful method of treatment is in Oakland, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient 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 be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help decrease pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases with full-thickness tears or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. 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 with you to design 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:

• 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 Oakland, 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 knowledgeable and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design a tailored 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 recover 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 choosing the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.