Rotator Cuff Tear in Portage Des Sioux, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Portage Des Sioux, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a custom-made treatment plan that will safely return you 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO and Missouri is run by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Portage Des Sioux, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you wish for. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as movement experts permit us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. 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 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 each year in the United States must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks painful, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Portage Des Sioux, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will develop a personalized, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Portage Des Sioux, 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. On top of helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional activity requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate 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 consists of:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you 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 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 gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration occurs because of overuse or normal weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what sort of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Portage Des Sioux, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.

There are three principal sorts of rotator cuff injuries:

1. 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 motions over time like throwing. They begin with fraying and in time tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can regularly reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often caused by rotator cuff weakness, poor posture, and weakness of the muscles around the shoulder.
3. Impingement occurs when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Typically occurring with 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 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or performing basic everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Portage Des Sioux, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience a specific injury. Maybe you tried 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 called chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Stress — 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 Supply — As we age our body sends less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can lead to 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 . After a while, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading it to fray and tear.

Getting older is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are due to the general wear and tear our bodies undergo over time, and are most common in people over the age of 40. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Portage Des Sioux, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more subtle. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Trouble 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 specific arm motions
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you call a medical professional such as the Portage Des Sioux, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in tandem with your doctor 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 a simple, cost-effective method to have your shoulder examined. 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 can result in chronic pain and injury to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandkids 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 wondering what the best form of treatment is in Portage Des Sioux, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help manage pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with full-thickness tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The expert physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to develop an evidence-based, personalized 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 Portage Des Sioux, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design a personalized 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 look forward to seeing you once again able to high-five your clinical team on your way out. 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.