Rotator Cuff Tear in Robertsville, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical demands of your occupation more difficult, but it can also affect daily tasks writing. Our Robertsville, 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 with healing your rotator cuff injury.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Robertsville and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts allow us to effectively guide you in your rotator cuff injury 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. Over two million people each year nationwide must visit a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If you have experienced a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Robertsville, 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 Robertsville, 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. As well as keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff helps you control the movement of your arm. For any physical task necessitating use of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper limb. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, as well as the bony anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the large range of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

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 deep triangular 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 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 permits you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is indispensable in almost every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly rotate, elevate, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Robertsville, 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 sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too much. Degeneration takes place because of overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Robertsville, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you recover.

There are three basic types 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 completely separates the tendon from the bone. Usually, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not entirely separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating daily movements over time like pitching. 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 light injury.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is centered in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often because of rotator cuff weakness, incorrect posture, and weakness of the muscles in the shoulder.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. 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 some complete and partial tears of the rotator cuff may need surgery, a course of individualized physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist can reduce symptoms and better function notably. Our Robertsville, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will develop a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your local pickleball league, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary everyday activities like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Robertsville, 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 suffer a blunt force 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 can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • 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 supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can result in larger tears. The rotator cuff is notorious for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we age, and bone spurs can frequently 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. Younger people with rotator cuff injuries generally acquire them through acute trauma. Robertsville, MO residents who work in certain jobs, 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 happens slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to notice. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out specific shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, particularly 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 Robertsville, 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 means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely 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 swimming 400 meters.

Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear

If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be asking yourself what the best method of treatment is in Robertsville, MO. Typically, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help limit pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is completely torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to create an evidence-based, tailored plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:

• Back Pain Treatment
• 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

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of weakening over time, you won’t be able to completely 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. Each rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 recover 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 on your way out. Contact us today by selecting the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.