Rotator Cuff Tear in Paulina Hills, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical demands of your occupation harder, but it can also disrupt daily tasks pouring a cup of coffee. Our Paulina Hills, 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 on your road to recovery.
Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Paulina Hills, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Paulina Hills, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you require. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. Begin working with a committed 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 each year nationwide must visit a doctor or physical therapist due 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 simply looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Paulina Hills, 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 Paulina Hills, 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. As well as holding your shoulder in place, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and elevate it above your head. For any physical activity necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate in concert with 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 larger shoulder muscles and the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder. The rotator cuff contains:
- The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that holds in place the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to move your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
The rotator cuff is indispensable in nearly every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced 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 sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration takes place due to overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Whatever type of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Paulina Hills, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you in your recovery.
Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:
- Rotator cuff tears take place 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 the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily movements over time like swimming. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. 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 often happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often because of weakness or incorrect technique.
- Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm movements. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.
Licensed physical therapists can help you recover from any of these injuries with a personalized treatment plan. While individualized physical therapy can reduce symptoms and improve movement, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Paulina Hills, 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 owning your local pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or performing basic everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Paulina Hills, 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 transpires when you sustain a specific injury. Maybe you tried to lift something you shoulder could not support. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, for example a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
- Degenerative Tears — These are also known as chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
- Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can happen when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—for example baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform a specific motion repeatedly.
- Lack of Blood Flow — As we age our body sends less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can lead to 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 . 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 risks for Paulina Hills, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Difficulty lifting your arm
- Pain or soreness when performing specific shoulder motions
- Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the injured shoulder
- Weakness in your shoulder
- Clicking, grating, or popping sensations, especially when associated with specific motions
- Inability to lift things you can usually lift
If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Paulina Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work 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 method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to wholly heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the expertise 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 serving an ace.
Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear
If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be uncertain as to what the best method of treatment is in Paulina Hills, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough 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 rotator cuff tears where the tendon is completely 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 implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to implement an evidence-based, personalized plan to get you back to the activities you love, pain-free and without the 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 Paulina Hills, 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 compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively shepherd you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build 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 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 closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.
