Rotator Cuff Tear in Wentzville, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Wentzville, 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 get you back to full strength and mobility – pain free. 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 Wentzville and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our wide-ranging clinical expertise, proven practices, and background as movement experts permit us to effectively shepherd you in heal your rotator cuff tear. Reach out to 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 be the result of trauma or overuse over time. Over two million people every year nationwide must schedule a visit with a doctor or physical therapist because of rotator cuff tears. If you have experienced a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are just looking for permanent and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons and muscles that holds the ball of your humerus (upper arm bone) in your shoulder socket, which is relatively shallow. In addition to holding your shoulder in place, the rotator cuff permits you to lift and rotate your arm. For any functional activity needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to elevate or move the upper limb. 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 4 tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff are:

1. The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that balances the head of your humerus and allows you to raise 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 thin muscle that works in concert with the infraspinatus to extend your arm to the side and keep the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most sizable of the rotator cuff muscles. It permits you to rotate your shoulder towards your body, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

Moving your arm or shoulder with an injured rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in order to have optimal range of motion. If you have sustained a rotator cuff tear or any other injury, come see the Wentzville, 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 chronic degeneration. Trauma can occur when you fall on your shoulder or overstretch your arm. Degeneration occurs due to overuse or standard weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. No matter what kind of pain or injury you are experiencing in your shoulder, the Wentzville, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to empower you as you recover.

There are three principal types of rotator cuff injuries:

1. Rotator cuff tears transpire as a result 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 the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating every day motions over time like swimming. They start with fraying and ultimately tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears show no symptoms with many people not knowing that they have them. A small injury can often reveal a chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tear.
2. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis), is swelling, irritation or degeneration of one of the tendons attaching muscle to the bone. Patients typically feel pain in the area surrounding the joint. Teninopathy often happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or as part of their job. The irritation is often caused by rotator cuff weakness, incorrect posture, and weakness of the muscles around the shoulder.
3. Impingement takes place when the tendon of the rotator cuff becomes “impinged” during certain arm movements. Typically occurring with 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 an experienced physical therapist can reduce symptoms and improve function considerably. Our Wentzville, 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 dominating your local pick-up basketball league, painting your walls, or performing basic daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Wentzville, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

The two types of rotator cuff tears are:

• Acute Tears — This sort of rotator cuff tear occurs when you suffer trauma. You may have fallen on your overstretched arm. Acute tears can also occur with other injuries to the shoulder, for example a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
• Degenerative Tears — These are also known 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 occur when you play a sport or engage in an activity frequently—for example baseball, swimming, or weight lifting — or when your job requires you to carry out a certain motion repeatedly.
  • 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 . Over time, the bone can rub against a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing it to fray and tear.

Age is the best-known risk factor for a rotator cuff tear; most rotator cuff tears are caused by the standard wear and tear our bodies experience over time, and are most common in people over the age of 40. Younger people with rotator cuff injuries typically acquire them through acute trauma. Wentzville, 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 show symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it occurs slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are harder to note. 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 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’re experiencing symptoms, delaying treatment with Wentzville, MO physical and occupational therapists could make the injury worse. We will work 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 analyzed. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to entirely recover from – or arthritis, which can cause permanent pain and damage to your shoulder joint. We have the expertise 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 wondering what the best means of treatment is in Wentzville, MO. Most of the time, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help ameliorate the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, 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 cases with full-thickness tears or if the injury has failed to heal with conservative treatment. The professional physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work with you to make an evidence-based, personalized 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 Wentzville, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured 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 expert and compassionate physical and occupational therapists who can safely and successfully shepherd you as you heal. Every rotator cuff tear is unique, 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 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 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.