Valley Park, MO

Valley Park, 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 Valley Park, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical pursuits like sports or the physical requirements of your job tougher, but it can also affect basic activities writing. Our Valley Park, 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.

All of our physical therapy clinics in Valley Park and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to securing positive patient outcomes. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as motion experts permit us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Start working 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. More than two million people every year in the United States 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 painful, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Valley Park, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will create a bespoke, evidence-based therapy treatment plan to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Valley Park, 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. Besides keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any physical endeavor necessitating maneuvering of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work in tandem with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift 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 larger shoulder muscles and the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

  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 deep triangular muscle behind the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
  3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm to the side 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 permits you to rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

The rotator cuff is vital in basically every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in all four muscles in order to adequately rotate, raise, extend, and protect your arm and shoulder. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Valley Park, 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 Valley Park, MO | Occupational and Physical Therapy | Sports Injury

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are either caused by acute trauma or gradual degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or your arm is stretched too far. Degeneration occurs because of overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Regardless of what type of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Valley Park, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to guide you in your treatment.

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

  1. Rotator cuff tears happen as a result of trauma or can be more chronic in nature. A complete, or full-thickness, rotator cuff tear completely separates the tendon from the bone. Normally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which damages the tendon but does not wholly separate it from the bone. They can transpire because of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive daily motions over time like throwing. They start with fraying and eventually tear. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a minor 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 often 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 in the shoulder.
  3. Impingement happens when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm motions. Often caused by repetitive shoulder activities, injury, or age. 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 individualized physical therapy can reduce symptoms and improve movement, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Valley Park, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will design a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to dominating your neighborhood pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Valley Park, MO


Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

  • Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear transpires when you experience a specific injury. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. They can also be caused by other structural damage, such as a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
  • Degenerative Tears — These can also be called chronic rotator cuff tears. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
    • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. 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 carry out a certain motion repetitively.
    • Lack of Blood Flow — As we age our body sends less blood to our rotator cuff, meaning it is more difficult for the body to heal small tears, which can cause larger tears. The rotator cuff is well known for its poor blood supply.
    • Bone Spurs — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we get older, and bone spurs can frequently occur on the underside of the acromion, which serves as the roof of your shoulder . Over time, the bone can irritate 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 due to the standard wear and tear our bodies undergo over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Younger people with rotator cuff tears usually acquire them through acute trauma. Valley Park, 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 exhibit symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, especially if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but occasionally the symptoms are more subtle. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

  • Difficulty elevating your arm
  • Pain or soreness when performing specific shoulder movements
  • Pain at night or when resting, particularly if you’re lying on the injured shoulder
  • Weakness in your shoulder
  • Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with certain arm movements
  • Inability to lift things you can typically lift

If you’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Valley Park, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work in concert with your physician 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 a simple, 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 can cause chronic pain and injury to your shoulder joint. We have the knowledge and skill to get you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s lifting your grandchildren 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 Valley Park, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be sufficient to help manage the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to the activities you love. You may also receive anti-inflammatory medicine or injections to help reduce pain. Fortunately, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is entirely torn or if rest and physical therapy have not been successful. The expert 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 build an evidence-based, tailored plan to get you back to what you love doing, 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:

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result 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 experienced and caring 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 recover 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.

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
  • 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 Supervisor
Sarah Schroeder
MOTR/L, CHT, Astym Cert
Bill Franzen
Partner, PT, MHSPT
Kinsey Jackson
Front Office
Cassandra Wadlow
Front Office
Mary McKinney
Front Office
Brian Little
Front Office Supervisor
Zac Schniers
PT, DPT, CMPT
Danielle O’Rando
Front Office
Natasha Burtchett
Front Office Supervisor
Antoinette Ghoston
Front Office
Ashley Kraus
Front Office
Helen Ziegler
Front Office
Addie Kersting
Front Office Supervisor
Dena Rose
PT, CMPT
Katee Strunk
Front Office Team Lead
Mark Smith
PT, DPT, CMPT
Kaila Mikesch
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Ali Bauer
PT, CMPT
Brandi Arndt
MPT, CMPT
Julie Freiner
OTR/L, CHT
Samantha Bixby
PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Eric Meyer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Anthony Meyer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Rachel Weilandich
PT, DPT, CMPT
Brittany Stapp
Front Office Supervisor
Mitchell Hammack
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Farren Holman
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
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, Clinic Director, 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
Bailey Zimmermann
Front Office Supervisor
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 Mason
OTD, OTR/L
Lauren Vaughn
PT, DPT, CMPT, Astym Cert.
Emma Witte
PTA, ASTYM Cert.
Stephanie Heubi
Front Office
Hannah Drake
DPT, CMPT, ATC, LAT
Kimberly Helm
Front Office Supervisor
JP Thompson
PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Marion Shaw
Front Office Supervisor
Kelly Barnes
Physical Therapist
Abigail Alsmeyer
Front Office
Lisa Bell
Front Office
Shelby Ellis
Front Office
Kayla Kowal
PT, DPT, CSCS
Amanda Reynolds
Front Office
Annmarie Koenen
Front Office
Jamie Davis
Front Office
Grace Gualtieri
Physical Therapist
Jennifer Zweigart
Front Office
Heather Guffey
Front Office
Candy Wilcox
Front Office
Justin Bridwell
Front Office

Locations

Begin Your Recovery Today

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