Rotator Cuff Tear in Ozark View, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Ozark View, 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 – 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 Ozark View, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Ozark View, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you wish for. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully guide you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Start treatment with a committed 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 either be acute — meaning it happens as the result of an injury, such as falling or lifting a heavy object — or can happen gradually because of overuse. More than two million people every year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If you have suffered a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are simply looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Ozark View, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will create a personalized, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Ozark View, 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. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to control the movement of your arm. For any functional task necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise 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 holds in place the head of your humerus and helps you elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle behind the shoulder which assists with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to move your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, 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

The two main causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration occurs because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Ozark View, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you as you recover.

Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:

1. Rotator cuff tears happen 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 movements over time like swimming. They start with fraying and after some time tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears show no symptoms with many people living with them unknowingly. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a mild injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy often happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often due to weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Normally the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can be a prelude 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 assuage symptoms and improve function significantly. Our Ozark View, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will develop a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out basic daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Ozark View, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you sustain a blunt force injury. You may have fallen 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 known as chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. These are common in sports like swimming and baseball, or jobs that require repeated overhead lifting.
  • Lack of Blood Flow — 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 well known 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 serves as the roof of your shoulder . Over time, the bone can irritate 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 become older. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Ozark View, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always experience symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but sometimes 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 motions
• Inability to lift things you can typically lift

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you reach out to a medical professional such as the Ozark View, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in concert with your physician to come up with a game plan that will safely and successfully get you back to the activities you love. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the know-how and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up your grandchildren over your head or swimming 400 meters.

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 form of treatment is in Ozark View, MO. In most cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help manage pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears where the tendon is entirely torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to make 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:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 recover your movement health and help you heal 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 picking the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.