Rotator Cuff Tear in Potosi, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical activities like sports or the physical requirements of your work more difficult, but it can also disrupt basic activities reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Potosi, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a tailored treatment plan that will safely get you back 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 Potosi, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Potosi, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you wish for. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively lead you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Reach out to a 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 each year nationwide must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist owing 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 enduring and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Potosi, 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 Potosi, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. As well as keeping your shoulder in place, the rotator cuff permits you to control the movement of your arm. For any functional endeavor needing usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature function alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper limb. 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 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and allows you to elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder which aids revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to extend your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. 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 move your arm downward.

Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. 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.

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

The two main causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can happen when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration happens because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Whatever type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Potosi, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your recovery.

There are three main sorts of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear totally separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not totally separate it 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 repeatedly lifting heavy objects. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. 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 minor injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is inflammation, 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 regularly happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement occurs when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm movements. Normally occurring with overhead activities. 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 safe and effective treatment. While some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with a highly-knowledgeable physical therapist can decrease symptoms and better function remarkably. Our Potosi, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to owning your Potosi, MO pickleball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Potosi, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer a blunt force injury. 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 called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. 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 supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, making it harder 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 . 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 causes for Potosi, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always show symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instantaneous pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some common rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Trouble lifting your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out certain shoulder motions
• Pain at night or when resting, especially 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 normally lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Potosi, 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 means of having your shoulder analyzed. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to wholly recover from – or arthritis, which can lead to permanent pain and harm to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s picking up your grandchildren over your head or striking out the side.

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 method of treatment is in Potosi, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, 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 with full-thickness tears or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to create 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:

• 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 Potosi, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from experienced and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 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.