Rotator Cuff Tear in Stone Meadows, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Stone Meadows, MO team of physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy will work to treat your rotator cuff tear with a bespoke treatment plan that will safely return you to full strength and mobility – free from pain. 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 Stone Meadows, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have dedicated their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Stone Meadows, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you wish for. Our extensive clinical expertise, proven treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Begin treatment with a devoted 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 see a doctor or physical therapist owing to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks painful, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Stone Meadows, 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 Stone Meadows, 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. On top of holding your shoulder from falling out of place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional task requiring use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. The wide range of motion our arms and shoulders have is due to our rotator cuff working in tandem with the surrounding musculoskeletal structure of the shoulder. The rotator cuff consists of:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that keeps the humerus in place and is responsible for lifting your arm.
2. The infraspinatus is a thick triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to extend your arm away from your body and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It allows you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is essential in basically every kind of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to correctly rotate, lift, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Stone Meadows, 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

The two main causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you lift a heavy object or overstretch your arm. Degeneration transpires owing to overuse or standard weakening of the muscles and tendons with age. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Stone Meadows, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to empower you as you recover.

There are three basic sorts 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 be caused by trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily movements over time like throwing. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears do not have symptoms with many people not knowing that they have them. 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 just outside the joint. Teninopathy regularly happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of rotator cuff weakness, improper posture, and weakness of the muscles surrounding the shoulder.
3. Impingement takes place 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 precursor to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three injuries can be treated successfully 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 decrease symptoms and ameliorate function considerably. Our Stone Meadows, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your Stone Meadows, MO softball league, painting your walls, or performing necessary daily tasks like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Stone Meadows, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear transpires when you sustain a blunt force injury. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. 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 notorious 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 irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

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. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common risks for Stone Meadows, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always feel a rotator cuff tear, especially if it develops slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause immediate pain, but other times the symptoms are more subtle. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Pain or soreness with certain shoulder movements
• Pain at night or when resting, especially if you’re lying on the affected 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 Stone Meadows, 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. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is a simple, cost-effective method to have your shoulder evaluated. Early examination and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely heal – or arthritis, which can result in chronic pain and injury to your shoulder joint. We have the expertise and skill to get 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 wondering what the most effective means of treatment is in Stone Meadows, MO. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help manage 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 manage pain. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is entirely torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The expert physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and implement the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to create an evidence-based, personalized 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:

• 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 Stone Meadows, 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 compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully lead you as you heal. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build 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 can’t wait to see 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.