There is some good advice here, especially to young Rudy. If you have a rotator cuff injury it's very important to rest it and get medical advice before doing anything else. I had an injury for a long time and eventually it was exercises and stretching that helped alot but it's critical to make sure you're doing the right exercises in the correct manner as otherwise you can make things alot worse - especially if overuse was what helped cause the injury in the first place. Those that found cortisone helpful were lucky - it did nothing for me and I've heard it can have some negative side effects too. If anyone would like to find out more about which exercises can help and how to do them I've included a link. Just make sure you see your Doc before you start the exercises! Here is a link that might be useful: Rotator Cuff Exercises

Practice now using your other side. I didn't have a tear, but did have surgery in nov for a burr. I too am heavier. Leg muscles are used more. If you have to use mroe cushions so you use your legs more, then do that. Vickey-MN PS when you have the surgery, if they give you the option of having your arm numbed..do it. It wears off after about 24 hours which means no pain for 24 hours!!! You will be happy you had the surgery.

I have been told I need this surgery, and would like to know if what I have been told is true. 3 different people have told me it was the most painful surgery they have ever had. What was your experience?

Hmmm....I don't think I have one yet...supposedly just impingement syndrome. Which I'm told if left untreated may very well lead to a torn rotator cuff. I saw an orthopod and he recommended PT - which I did and have been doing the exercise every other day for six months. I don't think it's helped much. I do find one naproxyn tablet about twice a week pretty much eliminates the pain. I think this has been caused by working in the software industry for about 25 years and spending alot of time working at a computer with bad posture. Rounded shoulders hunkered over a desk - if you do this you better straighten up. All that said, I know three guys who have had rotator cuff surgery - they all seem to have done pretty well. One is very active and has resumed playing tennis - DH is a good tennis play and he apparently killed him - post surgery. The other guy also plays alot of golf and he was able to resume that about six months after surgery. The third guy also kind of an extreme sports guy who plays alot of tennis and does alot of kayaking - he's doing all of that again without any difficulty as far as I can tell. Like any other medical treatment one big factor in the outcome is the skill of the surgeon - and the therapist. They are not all created equal and I think some people think if someone is a doctor or a surgeon or a shoulder surgeon that they'll be able to get the job done successfully. Nothing could be further from the truth. Also, I think results are dependent upon how dedicated you are to following through with the therapy. Two of the three guys said they spent alot of time on rehab and that getting a good PT was critical. Good luck - I am pondering this shoulder surgery issue myself - trying to avoid it.