Rotator Cuff Tear Sunset Hills, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Sunset Hills, MO

Allow us to help heal your rotator cuff tear and get you back to the activities you love with a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan.

Rotator Cuff Tear in Sunset Hills, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical tasks like sports or the physical requirements of your occupation more painful, but it can also disrupt basic activities reaching for something on the top shelf. Our Sunset Hills, 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 return you to full strength and mobility – without any pain. 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 Sunset Hills, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to aiding individuals like you in the Sunset Hills, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you wish for. Our comprehensive clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts permit us to successfully lead you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Begin working with a dedicated 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 each year nationwide suffer a rotator cuff tear. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from playing the sports you once loved playing, or just making daily tasks challenging, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, 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 helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff helps you lift and rotate your arm. For any functional task requiring maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff musculature work in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper extremity. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, stronger muscles, along with the bony anatomy of the shoulder, that permits us the substantial amount of motion in the shoulder. The rotator cuff contains:

  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 thick triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder which helps with revolution and extension of the shoulder.
  3. The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to extend your arm outward and keep the arm in place during rotation.
  4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is key in nearly every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has equal strength and control in all four muscles in order to adequately rotate, lift, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Sunset Hills, 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.

Rotator Cuff Tear Sunset Hills, MO | Occupational and Physical Therapy | Sports Injury

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you lift a heavy object or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Regardless of what sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Sunset Hills, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.

There are three principal sorts of rotator cuff injuries:

  1. Rotator cuff tears occur because of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear entirely separates the tendon from the bone. Most often, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which injures the tendon but does not totally separate it from the bone. They can take place as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive day-to-day movements over time like throwing. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. 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), is inflammation, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area just outside the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often caused by rotator cuff weakness, incorrect posture, and weakness of the muscles surrounding the shoulder.
  3. Impingement is caused by a tendon rubbing on a shoulder blade. Typically the result of overhead activities. Impingement syndrome can later lead to chronic rotator cuff irritation and partial tearing.

All three injuries can be treated effectively with conservative treatment such as 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 reduce symptoms and better function remarkably. Our Sunset Hills, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will create a personalized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to owning your local pickleball 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 Sunset Hills, MO


Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

  • Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear happens when you suffer trauma. Maybe you fell on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also accompany other injuries to the shoulder, for example 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. This can take place when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—including baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your work requires you to perform a specific motion repetitively.
    • Lack of Blood Supply — As we get older our body supplies less blood to our rotator cuff, and as a result it is harder for the body to heal small tears, which can lead to larger tears. 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.

Age is the most understood risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; the majority of rotator cuff tears are because of the typical 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 Sunset Hills, MO young people.

Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

You may not always show symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but sometimes the symptoms are more difficult to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:

  • Trouble lifting your arm
  • Pain or soreness with 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 experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Sunset Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in concert with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting any of our locations for a free injury screening is an easy, cost-effective method to have your shoulder analyzed. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to totally recover from – or arthritis, which can result in chronic pain and damage to your shoulder joint. We have the know-how and skill to get 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 uncertain as to what the most successful method of treatment is in Sunset Hills, MO. Usually, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help manage the symptoms, let your rotator cuff heal properly by itself, 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. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears where the tendon is completely torn or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to develop an evidence-based, tailored 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:

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because of an injury or of degeneration over time, you won’t be able to entirely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you in your recovery. Each rotator cuff tear is different, and at Axes Physical Therapy we build a tailored 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 as you leave. Contact us today by picking the location closest to you or get a free injury screening to take the first step in getting back to the activities you love.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Occupational Therapy
    • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • dorsaVi Video Motion Analysis
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Women's Health Therapy - Pelvic Floor
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTYM)
  • Spine Specialty – Manual Therapy Certified
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Sara Crain
PT, CEAS, Astym Cert.
Lauren Cavanaugh
Front Office Supervisor
Amanda Long
DPT, CMPT, ATC
Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Brian Wahlig
Front Office
Sarah Schroeder
MOTR/L, CHT, Astym Cert
Daria Klein
PT, DPT, CMPT
Bill Franzen
Partner, PT, MHSPT
Kinsey Jackson
Front Office
Cassandra Wadlow
Front Office
Mary McKinney
Front Office
Brian Little
Front Office Supervisor
Zac Schniers
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Natasha Burtchett
Front Office Supervisor
Antoinette Ghoston
Front Office
Brad Tiehes
PT, DPT, CMPT
Ashley Kraus
Front Office
Helen Ziegler
Front Office
Addie Kersting
Front Office Supervisor
Dena Rose
PT, CMPT, CHT
Katee Strunk
Front Office Team Lead
Mark Smith
PT, DPT, CMPT
Kaila Mikesch
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Ali Bauer
PT, CMPT
Brandi Arndt
PT, DPT, CMPT
Julie Freiner
OTR/L, CHT
Eric Meyer
Assistant Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Anthony Meyer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Haley Finnegan
OTR/L, CHT
Brittany Stapp
Front Office
Hattie Kaimann
Front Office
Mitchell Hammack
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Farren Holman
Assistant Clinic Director, PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Jodi Bielicke
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, ASTYM Cert.
Sara Dowil
OTR/L, CHT
Mike Faris
Clinic Director, PT, CMPT
Emily Helton
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Mandy Carter
MSPT, CMPT, ATC, CWC
Matt Williams
MS, OTR/L, ATC/L, CHT
Ray Bauer
Clinic Director, MSPT, CMPT
Brett Shelton
PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSMT
Candace Cunningham
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Jeff Hunter
Clinic Director, PT, Cert. MDT, MBA
Scott Gallant
PT, FAAOMPT, BDN
Derrick Wolk
Partner, Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
Greg Nicholas
Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
John Teepe
Partner, MPT
Ernie Goddard
Partner, PT
John Ruesler
Clinic Director, DPT, CMPT, Astym Cert.
Jennifer Szydlowski
Clinic Director, PT, CMPT
Stacey Collins
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Brian Freund
Partner, DPT, CMPT, TPS, MBA
Joe Schmersahl
Clinic Director, PT, MTC, CMTPT
Bradley Webb
Clinic Director, PT
Kelly Basler
Front Office
Daniel Scribner
PT, DPT, ATC
Jayne Scanlan
DPT, COMT, CMTPT, FAAOMPT
Sharon Titter
Clinic Director, MPT
Natalie Carter
PT, DPT, Astym. Cert.
Michelle Schrage
Front Office
Megan Phillips
Front Office
TJ Jung
PT, DPT
Kaysie Cope
Front Office
Christine Lucke
MPT, COMT.
Lauren Huckstep
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CSCS, Astym Cert.
Mary Headrick
Front Office Associate
Megan Leaver
OTD, OTR/L
Lauren Vaughn
PT, DPT, CMPT, Astym Cert.
Jon Arconati
PT, DPT, CMPT
Emma Witte
PTA, ASTYM Cert.
Stephanie Heubi
Front Office
Hannah Drake
DPT, CMPT, ATC, LAT
Kimberly Helm
Front Office Supervisor
Carly Donahue
PT, DPT, CMPT
JP Thompson
PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Marion Shaw
Front Office Supervisor
Kelly Barnes
Physical Therapist
Lisa Bell
Front Office
Shelby Ellis
Front Office
Erin Bauer
PT, DPT
Kelly Thornton
Clinic Director, PT, DPT
Mandy Wilmes
PT, DPT, COMT
Grace Gualtieri
Physical Therapist
Lorinda Gaines
Front Office
Jeff Cowdry
OTR/L, CHT
Shannon Blum
PTA, ATC
Chris Casner
PT, Clinic Director
Jamie Baumer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Christine Rufkahr
PT, COMT, CSMT
Ashley Brown
Front Office
Tanya Stanek
Front Office
Bryan Chac
PT, DPT
David Grant
MPT, COMT, FAAOMPT
Megan Henderson
OTR/L, CHT
Jennifer Chura
Front Office
Brad Morr
PT, DPT
Emma Hanger
PT, DPT, LAT, ATC
Camri Pratt
MOT, OTR/L
Becky Reininger
Front Office
Danielle Nichols
Front Office
Anthony Pope
PT, DPT, CMPT
Stacey Cronovich
Front Office
Sabrina Schieffer
Front Office
Shelby Reynolds
Front Office
Angie Burkhead
Front Office
Dawn Szerszen
Front Office
Dari Clarke
Front Office

Locations

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Injuries and pain shouldn’t keep you from moving and doing the things you love.