Question about shoulder injury

[ElizK]

I actually do have an appt to see the doctor this afternoon, but not sure if I should keep it. Back on Halloween I was carrying a table loaded up with stuff, and I hurt my shoulder. From what I've read and talked to my brother (a doctor), I probably have a small tear to my rotator cuff. Certain movement causes sharp pain, but often either no pain or only an ache. Doing something that causes a sharp pain will cause a pretty good ache for days afterward. I can lift my arm over my head with no problem.

My question: What exactly can a doctor do? I know surgery is required for a large tear, but what about a lesser injury? It's been 5 months, it's not getting better on it's own. If she's mostly likely to just tell me to take Advil, I'd rather cancel the appt.

Thanks for any input!

 

[acadia1960]

I had a small tear in my rotator cuff last Feb 2006. I had physical therapy twice a week for 4 months & a cortizone shot, but it took a good 8 months for that shoulder to heal, and once in a while if I lift something just right, I get a pain, that goes away in a few minutes.

 

[ElizK]

Thanks for your reply (sorry it took me so long to say so). I actually ended up cancelling the appt. I can't really afford xrays/MRI right now if the doctor were to order it, so I guess it doesn't really matter. I'll wait a bit (either the financial outlook will improve or the shoulder will... either way ). Thanks, again.