Rec Center Physical Therapy

Aches or Pains limiting your daily activities in life?

Physical Therapists have the most specialized education to improve quality of life without surgery or prescription drugs.

Consider our expert care at Rec Center Physical Therapy as your first line of defense to address any limitations you may be experiencing.

Your First Visit

• Allow at least 1 hour for the first visit
• Child care available
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early
• Bring insurance card and doctor's referral/order if applicable
• All patients under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult
• Front row parking is available for our patients (next to handicapped parking)
• Bring or wear comfortable clothing to allow accessible treatment for your evaluation. (clinic may also provide you with clothing)

Rotator Cuff Tear

Definition

Tendons connect muscles to bone. There are four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor) that surround the shoulder joint. These four muscles are attached to the shoulder blade. They turn into tendons, which in turn attach to the arm. The tendons of these four muscles make up the "rotator cuff" that blends into and helps support the shoulder joint capsule. The muscles of the rotator cuff and their tendons provide stability to the shoulder joint, the most mobile joint in the body.

When the rotator cuff becomes injured or torn, it is described as a rotator cuff tear. These tears may be classified as partial-thickness tears or full-thickness tears. A partial thickness rotator cuff tear is the term used when the tendon is not completely torn. A full-thickness rotator cuff tear is the term used when the tendon is completely torn.

Mechanism of Injury

A rotator cuff tear may occur suddenly or develop gradually. Sudden rotator cuff tears usually occur during falls or while lifting heavy objects. A rotator cuff tear may develop gradually for a variety of reasons, including:

• Repetitive overhead lifting.
• Degeneration of the rotator cuff due to aging.
• Poor blood supply to the rotator cuff.
• Narrowing of the space between the humerus and the acromion (subacromial arch). This can cause progressive "fraying" of the rotator cuff.

Symptoms:

People with a rotator cuff tear may complain of any of the following:

• Pain in the shoulder during lifting and with overhead activities.
• Pain in the shoulder at night or while sleeping.
• Weakness in the shoulder, especially when attempting to lift the arm.
• Catching, grating or cracking sounds in the shoulder when the arm is moved.
• Limited motion.

Physical Therapy Intervention

Rec Center Physical Therapy can be the first line of defense for those suffering from a rotator cuff tear by offering a program of stretching and strengthening exercises, icing, pain medications, or anti-inflammatory medications may decrease pain and improve function of the shoulder. Partial thickness tears usually respond to this type of treatment in physical therapy.

http://www.shoulderpaininfo.com/shoulderRotatorCuff.html