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

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?

I would suggest that you first see your present doc. Hear what he has to say and then, before doing anything that he suggests, get a second opinion ASAP. Bring copies of all your records from your present doc, everything that is in his charts including the operative notes, any xrays, MRI, CT scans. Everything. Get your second opinion from a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon that specializes in the shoulder. You should have healed from that surgery by now and not be having any problems. I had similar problems from ortho surgery on a tendon in my arm. Long story short, my biggest mistake was not getting a second opinion before surgery and not using a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon. In June I had to have spinal surgery and used a sports medicine doc specialized in spinal surgery from the same practice that I got my after the fact second opinion on my non healing arm. They fixed my arm fine, and also my spine as well. The regular orthopedic docs said at leas 12 months to recover from the spinal surgery and very large incision in my back. Was in an out in 12 hours and almost fully recovered from spinal surgery with a 1 inch incision scar in my back and it's only been 3 months!!!!! I would never use just a regular orthopedic surgeon and always get a second opinion. Good luck and let us know how you are going.

DH tore his rotator cuff also. Our family practice doctor recommended physical therapy, but also sent him for a 2nd opinion. That surgeon was dubious about the physical therapy, but that was what we ended up doing. It took several months, but DH would have had to do physical therapy after the surgery anyway. He now has 90% range of motion in that arm, which is more than the surgeon was promising.