Rotator Cuff Tear in Pevely, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Pevely, 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 get you back 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.
Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Pevely, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Pevely, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you want. Our considerable clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as motion experts allow us to effectively shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff tear. 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 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 a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks challenging, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Pevely, 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 Pevely, MO
The rotator cuff is a set 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 keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff permits you to raise your arm and elevate it above your head. For any physical endeavor needing usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper limb. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, more powerful muscles, combined with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the great scope of movement in the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of:
- 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 on the back of the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a thin muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward 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 helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.
The rotator cuff is vital in nearly every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires 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 Pevely, 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 gradual degeneration. Trauma can take place when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration takes place because of overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Pevely, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you as you heal.
There are three principal types of rotator cuff injuries:
- Rotator cuff tears transpire because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear completely separates the tendon from the bone. Normally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not completely separate it from the bone. They can occur as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily motions over time like pitching. They begin with fraying and in time 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 occurs in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often because of rotator cuff weakness, incorrect posture, and weakness of the muscles surrounding the shoulder.
- 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.
Licensed physical therapists can help you recover from any of these injuries with safe and effective treatment. 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 Pevely, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your Pevely, MO softball league, painting your walls, or conducting basic everyday tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Pevely, MO
Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors
The two types of rotator cuff tears are:
- Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear takes place when you experience trauma. Maybe you attempted 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. 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 — 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 well known for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we get older, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . 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 go through life. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Pevely, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always exhibit symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears typically cause instant pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Difficulty elevating your arm
- Pain or soreness with certain shoulder movements
- 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 certain arm motions
- Inability to lift things you can usually lift
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Pevely, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work together with your doctor 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 examined. Early examination and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely recover from – 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 lifting 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 uncertain as to what the most successful means of treatment is in Pevely, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help improve the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce 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 professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to make 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:
- 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 Pevely, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from professional and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you as you heal. 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 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 choosing the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.














