Rotator Cuff Tear in Scotsdale, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical demands of your occupation more painful, but it can also hinder every day tasks writing. Our Scotsdale, 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 on your road to recovery.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Scotsdale, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to helping individuals like you in the Scotsdale, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you require. Our extensive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts allow us to effectively shepherd you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Get in touch with a physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or learn 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 every year in the United States must see a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks challenging, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Scotsdale, 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 Scotsdale, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is proportionately shallow. As well as keeping your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff lets you raise your arm and lift it above your head. For any functional activity needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper limb. It’s the teamwork between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that empowers the substantial scope of movement in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and permits you to elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a deep triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which helps with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to extend your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to 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 has balanced 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

The two leading causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration transpires due to overuse or general weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. No matter what type of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Scotsdale, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide you as you heal.

Rotator cuff injuries fall into 1 of the 3 categories below:

1. Rotator cuff tears occur as a result 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 daily movements over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They begin with fraying and eventually tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that 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 degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain is centered in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy frequently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often caused by weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement transpires when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm movements. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three conditions can be treated effectively with conservative treatment like physical therapy. While individualized physical therapy can reduce symptoms and improve function, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Scotsdale, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will implement a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary everyday activities like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Scotsdale, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear takes place when you sustain a specific injury. Maybe you attempted to lift something too heavy. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, like a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also called chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can occur when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—for example baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your job requires you to carry out a specific motion repetitively.
  • Lack of Blood Flow — As we get older our body sends less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can result in larger tears. The rotator cuff is infamous for its poor blood supply.
  • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we age, and bone spurs can often 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.

Aging is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are because of the typical wear and tear our bodies experience over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Younger people with rotator cuff tears usually develop them through acute trauma. Scotsdale, 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 experience symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Difficulty lifting your arm
• Pain or soreness when carrying out specific shoulder movements
• 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 typically lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you reach out to a medical professional such as the Scotsdale, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work with your doctor to come up with a game plan that will safely and successfully get you back to the activities you love. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective method to have your shoulder analyzed. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing 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 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 asking yourself what the best method of treatment is in Scotsdale, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help improve the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with full-thickness tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and implement the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to design 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:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me

Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Scotsdale, 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 expert and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, 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 heal 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 choosing the location nearest you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.