Rotator Cuff Tear in Sherman, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical requirements of your work harder, but it can also disrupt daily activities pouring a cup of coffee. Our Sherman, 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 with healing your rotator cuff injury.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Sherman, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to assisting individuals like you in the Sherman, MO area achieve the mobility and physical health you require. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts permit us to successfully lead you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Begin working with a committed physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or discover 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 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 just looking for enduring and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Sherman, 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 Sherman, 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. In addition to keeping your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff lets you control the movement of your arm. For any functional activity needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the bone anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the great amount of movement in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a proportionately small muscle that holds in place the head of your humerus and allows you to elevate your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to move your arm away from your body 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 helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is important in basically every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires balanced 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 Sherman, 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 take place when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place due to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Regardless of what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Sherman, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you as you heal.

There are three main kinds 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. 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 repeating every day motions 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 mild 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 surrounding the joint. Teninopathy frequently 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 weakness or incorrect technique.
3. Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during specific arm motions. Generally the result of overhead activities. 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 a highly-trained physical therapist can lessen symptoms and ameliorate function considerably. Our Sherman, 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 owning your Sherman, MO softball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily activities like brushing your teeth pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Sherman, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear occurs when you experience a specific injury. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. 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 Stress — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. This can transpire when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—for example baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform a specific motion repeatedly.
  • Lack of Blood Supply — As we age our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is more difficult 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.

Getting older is the most recognized risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are due to the usual wear and tear our bodies are subjected to over time, and are most common in people over the age of 40. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Sherman, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instantaneous pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Trouble lifting your arm
• Pain or soreness when performing certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, especially 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’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Sherman, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Going to any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective method to have your shoulder examined. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent 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 knowledge 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 swimming 400 meters.

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 form of treatment is in Sherman, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough to help improve the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is completely torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. 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 make 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:

• 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
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result 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 compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you as you heal. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we create a personalized 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 on your way out. 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.