Sure, go ahead and post on ART site - I'm open to any input.

I believe the PT exercises and deep massage were based on the diagnosis (from my referring ortho doc) of "Wikipedia reference-linkrotator cuff tendinitis". The PT and I believe it is at least tendinosis since it hasn't healed, and he believes there is a tear -- but he is following the orders of my referring doc.

The PT referred me to a sports ortho doc whom I will see on Thursday.

Meanwhile, I am caring for my mom (age 80) who is in the hospital with a bulging L3 disk and has a lot of pain in her hip and leg (Spinal Stenosis with Wikipedia reference-linkradiculopathy). She's improving every day and hopes to go home later this week. I haven't told her about my shoulder (since I don't know the Wikipedia reference-linkMRI results) and I'm sure this additional activity isn't helping, but caring for her is my priority at this time.

And thank you again for all of your input! This has been very interesting.

Coincidently, my brother is recovering from rotator cuff repair surgery done in Oct. He had a full-thickness tear that could not be fixed; he also had a retracted tendon (fixed), tendinosis (fixed), bone spurs (fixed). He's still doing PT and wearing the sling. He's 1 year younger than I.

Oh, also.... it's hard for me to believe that even a partial rupture wouldn't have a LOT of pain ALL the time, even at rest. Just expressing my thoughts, not disagreeing with anyone.