Rotator Cuff Tear in Ranken, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical demands of your work harder, but it can also hinder every day tasks driving a car. Our Ranken, 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 – 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 Ranken, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Ranken, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you desire. Our substantial clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts permit us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Get in touch with 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. More than two million people every year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks painful, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Ranken, 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 Ranken, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. On top of helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff allows you to raise your arm and lift it over your head. For any physical task needing usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper limb. It’s the synergy between the rotator cuff and the larger, more powerful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that allow us the substantial range of movement in 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 helps you lift your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle behind the shoulder which aids rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a narrow muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to extend your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the strongest 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 key in basically every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced 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 Ranken, 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 happen when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration happens because of overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Ranken, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to lead you in your recovery.

There are three main types of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused by trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear wholly separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not wholly 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 motions over time like swimming. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a minor injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. The pain occurs in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy often 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 around the shoulder.
3. Impingement happens 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 be a prelude to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated effectively with conservative treatment like physical therapy. 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 lessen symptoms and improve function significantly. Our Ranken, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary daily tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Ranken, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• 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. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also referred to 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 Supply — 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 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.

Age is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are the result of the standard wear and tear our bodies undergo over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Younger people with rotator cuff tears normally acquire them through acute trauma. Ranken, MO residents who work in certain occupations, play certain sports, or repeatedly lift heavy things or consistently move their arms overhead are also at higher risk.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but other times 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 performing specific shoulder motions
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the affected shoulder
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with specific arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can usually lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Ranken, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in tandem with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your recovery. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, 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 totally recover from – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting 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 wondering what the best form of treatment is in Ranken, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly on its own, 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 where the tendon is completely torn or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to build an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to what you love doing, 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:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Ranken, 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 professional and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design a customized 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 heal 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 picking the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.