Rotator Cuff Tear in Olympian Village, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Olympian Village, 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 on your road to recovery.
Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Olympian Village, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Olympian Village, MO area achieve the mobility and physical health you require. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts allow us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. 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. Over two million people every year nationwide must see a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for enduring and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Olympian Village, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will implement a personalized, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.
The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Olympian Village, MO
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. In addition to helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional endeavor needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that allow us the great range of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:
- The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting 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 tandem with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm away from your body and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped 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 crucial in almost every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in order to have full 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 acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can happen when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration transpires 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 Olympian Village, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.
There are three basic sorts of rotator cuff injuries:
- 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 repeating every day movements over time like throwing. They begin with fraying and eventually tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a light injury.
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is inflammation, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is centered in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy often happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often due to weakness or incorrect technique.
- Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm movements. 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 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 Olympian Village, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your local softball league, painting your walls, or performing necessary everyday activities like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Olympian Village, 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 transpires when you experience a specific injury. Maybe you attempted to lift something too heavy. 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. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
- 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 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 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 rub against 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 injuries generally sustain them through acute trauma. Olympian Village, 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 symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to note. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:
- Difficulty elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness when performing certain 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 specific arm motions
- Inability to lift things you can typically lift
If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Olympian Village, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert with your physician to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective means of having your shoulder examined. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely heal – or arthritis, which can lead to chronic pain and harm to your shoulder joint. We have the knowledge and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up 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 asking yourself what the best method of treatment is in Olympian Village, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help ameliorate the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is completely torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to design an evidence-based, customized 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 Olympian Village, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, 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 can’t wait to see 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.
