Rotator Cuff Tear in Wickes, MO. A rotator cuff tear can not only make physical ventures like sports or the physical requirements of your occupation more painful, but it can also disrupt basic activities pouring a cup of coffee. Our Wickes, 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.

Our locally owned and operated network of physical therapy clinics throughout Wickes, MO and Missouri is managed by physical and occupational therapists who have committed their lives to helping individuals like you in the Wickes, MO area achieve the mobility and physical wellness you desire. Our extensive clinical expertise, evidence-based treatment plans, and background as movement experts equip us to successfully shepherd you in your rotator cuff injury recovery. Reach out to a physical therapist at Axes Physical Therapy today. Contact us now or discover 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 visit a doctor or physical therapist due to rotator cuff tears. If you have suffered a rotator cuff tear and want to get back to the activities and sports you love or are only looking for enduring and meaningful pain relief, make an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. We are the leading physical therapy team in Wickes, MO, and our licensed physical therapists will develop a tailored, evidence-based therapy program to guide you in your recovery from your rotator cuff tear.

The Rotator Cuff | Axes Physical Therapy Wickes, 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. As well as keeping your humerus in place, the rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arm. For any physical activity requiring usage of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles work together with other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise or move the upper limb. It’s the teamwork between the rotator cuff and the larger, more forceful muscles, along with the skeletal anatomy of the shoulder, that enables the large range of movement in 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 deep triangle-shaped muscle on the back of the shoulder allows you to rotate and extend your arm.
3. The teres minor is a thin muscle that works alongside the infraspinatus to rotate your arm away from your body 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 lower your arm.

The rotator cuff is important in nearly every type of shoulder movement. A healthy rotator cuff requires equal 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 Wickes, 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 sudden injuries or chronic degeneration. Trauma can transpire when you lift a heavy object or overstretch your arm. Degeneration takes place owing to overuse or typical weakening of the muscles and tendons as you age. No matter what sort of pain or injury you are having in your shoulder, the Wickes, MO movement health experts at Axes physical are here to shepherd you as you heal.

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

1. Rotator cuff tears are caused because 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 hurts the tendon but does not wholly separate it from the bone. They can the result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repetitive every day movements over time like repeatedly lifting heavy objects. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people living with them unknowingly. A small injury can regularly 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 surrounding the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to people who frequently lift their arms overhead, whether in sports or in their occupation. The irritation is often due to rotator cuff weakness, poor posture, and weakness of the muscles in the shoulder.
3. Impingement occurs 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 later lead 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 Wickes, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will build a tailored plan for your rotator cuff tear recovery so that you can get back to swimming, painting your walls, or conducting necessary daily activities like pouring a cup of coffee with comfort and ease.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Wickes, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This kind of rotator cuff tear happens when you suffer 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 are also referred to as chronic rotator cuff tears. Associated risk factors include:
  • Repetitive Stress — Repeating the same shoulder motions 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 Flow — 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 — Bone overgrowth can also occur as we age, and bone spurs can often occur on the underside of the acromion, which acts as the roof of your shoulder . After a while, the bone can irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, leading 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 become older. Younger people with rotator cuff tears typically develop them through acute trauma. Wickes, 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 have symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, particularly if it happens slowly over time. Acute tears normally cause instant pain, but occasionally the symptoms are harder to notice. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to be aware of:

• Trouble elevating 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
• Hearing or feeling clicking, grating, or popping with specific arm movements
• Inability to lift things you can typically lift

If you exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you reach out to a medical professional such as the Wickes, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work 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 means of having your shoulder evaluated. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent a frozen shoulder – which is painful and can take up to three years to completely heal – or arthritis, which will have to be managed for the rest of your life. We have the knowledge and skill to return you safely back to what you do and love best, whether it’s raising your grandkids over your head or striking out the side.

Treatments for a Rotator Cuff Tear

If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, you may be wondering what the best form of treatment is in Wickes, MO. In most cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help improve the symptoms, encourage the body’s natural healing process, and eventually get you back to a pain free life. If the pain is severely debilitating, a physician make recommend anti-inflammatory medicine or injections. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with complete tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The licensed physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to analyze your condition and determine the best treatment plan for you. We will work alongside you to develop an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:

• 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
• Stroke Rehabilitation

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

Whether your rotator cuff tear occured because 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 caring 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 design 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 look forward to seeing you once again able to high-five your clinical team on your way out. 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.