Rotator Cuff Tear in Scotsdale, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. 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 devoted their lives to helping individuals like you in the Scotsdale, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you want. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully guide 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 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 in the United States suffer a rotator cuff tear. If you have suffered 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, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Scotsdale, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will develop a custom-made, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Scotsdale, 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. In addition to holding your shoulder in place, the rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arm. For any physical task necessitating usage of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature operate in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper extremity. It’s the cooperation between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, along with the bony anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the great amount 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 triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which helps with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangle-shaped muscle that is the strongest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to properly rotate, raise, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you’re experiencing pain or limited motion in your shoulder, come see Axes for a free injury screening.

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 your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration transpires owing to overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Regardless of what type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Scotsdale, MO movement health 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 by 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 occur because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day movements over time like pitching. 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. A small injury can frequently reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), happens when one of the tendons is inflamed or otherwise irritated. Patients typically feel pain in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often due to rotator cuff weakness, poor posture, and weakness of the muscles bordering the shoulder.
3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Normally the result of 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 a personalized treatment plan. 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 dominating your local pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or carrying out basic everyday tasks like brushing your teeth with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Scotsdale, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear transpires when you suffer trauma. Maybe you attempted to lift something too heavy. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—such as baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform a certain motion repetitively.
  • 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 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 . After a while, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading it to fray and tear.

Aging is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are caused by the general wear and tear our bodies undergo over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Scotsdale, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always have symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears typically cause immediate pain, but occasionally the symptoms are harder to notice. There are some standard rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• 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 usually lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Scotsdale, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert 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 means of having your shoulder examined. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely 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 uncertain as to what the most effective means of treatment is in Scotsdale, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help ameliorate the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also get anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help decrease pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases with complete tears or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work with you to design an evidence-based, customized 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 Scotsdale, 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 entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from experienced and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create 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 look forward to seeing you once again able to high-five your clinical team on your way out. Contact us today by choosing the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.