Rotator Cuff Tear in Woodson Terrace, MO. A rotator cuff tear not only keep you from the things you love, but can make day-to-day life debilitating. Our Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace and throughout Missouri are owned and operated by physical therapists who have dedicated themselves to helping people feel pain-free again. Our considerable clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and background as movement experts allow us to successfully guide you in heal your rotator cuff injury. 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 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 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 simply looking for lasting and meaningful pain relief, schedule an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO

The rotator cuff is a set of 4 tendons and muscles that maintains the stability and function between your humerus (upper arm bone) and shoulder. As well as helping prevent shoulder dislocations, the rotator cuff lets you control the movement of your arm. For any physical endeavor needing use of your arm, the rotator cuff muscles operate alongside other larger muscles in the shoulder and scapular area to raise 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 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 thick triangular muscle on the back of the shoulder which aids rotation and extension of the shoulder.
3. The teres minor is a slender muscle that works in tandem with the infraspinatus to rotate your arm outward and hold the arm in place during rotation.
4. The subscapularis is a triangular muscle that is the most forceful of the rotator cuff muscles. It helps you rotate your shoulder inward, as well as straighten and move your arm downward.

Moving your arm or shoulder without a healthy rotator cuff is painful if not impossible. A healthy rotator cuff has balanced strength and control in order to have full 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

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 much. Degeneration occurs because of overuse or standard weakening of the muscles and tendons as you get older. Whatever sort of pain or injury you are feeling in your shoulder, the Woodson Terrace, MO rotator cuff experts at Axes physical are here to guide 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 totally separates the tendon from the bone. Generally, a rotator cuff tear is a partial tear, which hurts the tendon but does not completely separate it from the bone. They can transpire as a result of trauma, such as falling, but most rotator cuff tears are from overuse or repeating day-to-day motions over time like swimming. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. Many chronic, partial thickness rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic with many people not knowing that they have them. Some chronic degeneration tears are only noticed after a mild injury.
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 just outside the joint. Teninopathy consistently happens to overhead athletes or those who work with their arms overhead. The irritation is often the result of weakness or incorrect technique.
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 successfully with conservative treatment like physical therapy. 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 Woodson Terrace, MO team of physical and occupational therapists will make a personalized 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 conducting necessary everyday tasks like pouring a cup of coffee pain-free.

Rotator Cuff Tear | Axes Physical Therapy Woodson Terrace, MO

Rotator Cuff Tear Causes and Risk Factors

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

• Acute Tears — This type of rotator cuff tear happens when you suffer trauma. Maybe you fell 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. They happen over time and can be the result of several factors:
  • Repetitive Activities — Repeating the same shoulder motions over time can cause tendons to fray and tear. 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 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 irritate a tendon, resulting in rotator cuff impingement, causing 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 go through life. Younger people with rotator cuff injuries normally develop them through acute trauma. Woodson Terrace, 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 happens slowly over time. Acute tears generally cause immediate pain, but occasionally the symptoms are harder to notice. There are some typical rotator cuff tear symptoms to look out for:

• Difficulty elevating your arm
• Pain or soreness with certain 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 experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you contact a medical professional such as the Woodson Terrace, MO physical and occupational therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. We will work in tandem with your doctor to coordinate a plan for your treatment. Visiting 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 recover from – or arthritis, which can result in permanent pain and injury 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 picking up 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 asking yourself what the most successful method of treatment is in Woodson Terrace, MO. In most cases, rest, icing, and physical therapy treatment practices such as stretching and strengthening exercises will be adequate to help assuage 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. Luckily, surgery is only recommended in rotator cuff tears with full-thickness tears or if the tear refuses to heal with more conservative care. The expert physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy know how to assess your condition and determine the best treatment method for you. We will work alongside you to implement an evidence-based, customized plan to get you back to the activities you love, 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:

• 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 Woodson Terrace, MO

Whether your rotator cuff tear is the result 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 caring physical and occupational therapists who can safely and effectively guide you in your recovery. No two rotator cuff tears are exactly the same, and at Axes Physical Therapy we design 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 as you leave. 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.