Rotator Cuff Tear Potosi, MO | Physical and Occupational Therapy

Rotator Cuff Tear in Potosi, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life painful. Our Potosi, 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 with healing your rotator cuff injury.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Potosi, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Potosi, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you require. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts allow us to successfully lead you in your rotator cuff tear 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. Over two million people every year in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. 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 Potosi, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will design a bespoke, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Potosi, 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. As well as keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff allows you to control the movement of your arm. For any physical activity needing maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the large amount of motion in the shoulder. The rotator cuff contains:

The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the most powerful of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is indispensable in almost every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly rotate, raise, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Potosi, 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.

Rotator Cuff Tear Potosi, MO | Occupational and Physical Therapy | Sports Injury

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

The two main causes of rotator cuff injuries are acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration transpires because of overuse or standard weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Potosi, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to empower you in your recovery.

There are three main sorts of rotator cuff injuries:

Rotator cuff tears take place 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 day-to-day movements over time like pitching. They start with fraying and ultimately tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can frequently reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
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 regularly happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often the result of rotator cuff weakness, improper 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. Generally the result of overhead activities. 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 movement, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Potosi, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will implement a customized 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 carrying out basic daily activities like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Potosi, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer a blunt force injury. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, like 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 motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—including baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your job requires you to carry out a specific motion over and over.
- 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 notorious for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also happen as we become older, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . Over time, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

Getting older is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are caused by the usual wear and tear our bodies experience 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 Potosi, 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 typically cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are harder to note. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

Trouble elevating your arm
Pain or soreness when carrying out certain shoulder movements
Pain at night or when resting, especially if you’re lying on the affected shoulder
Weakness in your shoulder
Clicking, grating, or popping sensations, especially when associated with specific motions
Inability to lift things you can normally lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Potosi, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work together 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 can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally 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 grandkids 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 wondering what the most effective method of treatment is in Potosi, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help manage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is entirely torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The expert physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to develop an evidence-based, tailored 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:

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of weakening over time, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create 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 closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.