Rotator Cuff Tear in Webster Groves, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical demands of your job more painful, but it can also disrupt basic tasks driving a car. Our Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, MO and Missouri is led by physical and occupational therapists who have devoted their lives to helping individuals like you in the Webster Groves, MO area achieve the mobility and physical well-being you want. Our exhaustive clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts equip us to effectively lead you in your rotator cuff tear recovery. Get in touch with a 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. Over two million people each year in the United States must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If a rotator cuff tear is keeping you from participating in your favorite sport, or just making daily tasks painful, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Webster Groves, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will implement a custom-made, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.
The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Webster Groves, MO
The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that keeps the top of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. Besides keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional activity requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles function in concert with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to lift or move the upper extremity. It’s the collaboration between the rotator cuff and the larger, more powerful muscles, combined with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that allow us the great range of motion in the shoulder. The 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:
- The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that stabilizes the head of your humerus and permits you to raise your arm.
- The infraspinatus is a deep triangle-shaped muscle behind the shoulder which assists with rotation and extension of the shoulder.
- The teres minor is a skinny muscle that works together with the infraspinatus to move your arm to the side and hold the arm in place during rotation.
- The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the biggest of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and lower your arm.
The rotator cuff is essential in nearly every sort of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. If you’re experiencing pain or limited motion in your shoulder, come see Axes for a free injury screening.
Common Rotator Cuff Injuries
The two basic causes of rotator cuff injuries are sudden injuries or gradual degeneration. Trauma can take place when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration occurs because of overuse or customary weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. Whatever sort of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Webster Groves, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to lead you as you recover.
There are three principal sorts of rotator cuff injuries:
- Rotator cuff tears are caused because of 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 happen as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day motions over time like swimming. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Often, people with partial tears do not know they have them. A small injury can regularly reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is inflammation, irritation or weakening of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. The pain occurs 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 weakness or incorrect technique.
- 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 function, Axes can also help you with pre- and post-surgical rehab if a full-thickness tear required surgery. Our Webster Groves, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will develop a customized plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or carrying out necessary everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.
Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Webster Groves, 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 experience a blunt force 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 are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. Some common risk factors are:
- Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder movements over time can lead to tendons fraying and tearing. This can occur when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—including baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your job requires you to perform a certain motion repetitively.
- 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 infamous for its poor blood supply.
- Bone Spurs — The acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of your shoulder blade, is prone to overgrowth . Over time, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.
Getting older is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are the result of the typical wear and tear our bodies experience over time, and are most common in people over 40 years old. Sports and jobs that require heavy lifting are the most common causes for Webster Groves, MO young people.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
You may not always show symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears usually cause instant pain, but sometimes the symptoms are harder to note. Signs you might have a rotator cuff tear include:
- Trouble raising your arm
- Pain or soreness with 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 normally lift
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you get in touch with a medical professional such as the Webster Groves, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in tandem with your doctor 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 evaluated. Early evaluation and treatment goes a long way in preventing a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to wholly heal – or arthritis, which can result in chronic pain and harm 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 raising 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 wondering what the most successful means of treatment is in Webster Groves, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be enough 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. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in cases where the tendon is totally torn or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. 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, 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:
- Back Pain Treatment
- 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
Receive Treatment for Your Rotator Cuff Tear Today | Axes Physical Therapy Webster Groves, MO
Whether your rotator cuff tear happened because of an injury or of wear and tear over time, you won’t be able to completely enjoy your life as you should until you get treatment from knowledgeable and empathetic physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully guide you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is different, 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 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 as you leave. 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.
