I've been hanging out in the Mayo clinic for a few months now and have found so much support. I recently had a cervical fusion and was able to get great information from a lot of people here on the Mayo. I'm recovering nicely but having a muscle strain when I sit up. I put ice packs on my neck and that really helps. The next issue is my left arm. I wasn't sure if I had a pinched nerve, frozen shoulder or rotator cuff issues. I just got the results of my MRI and it's rotator cuff issues and more.
Here are the results: FINDINGS:
ROTATOR CUFF/BICEPS TENDON:
Moderate tendinosis of distal fibers of supraspinatus tendon with partial thickness interstitial and articular surface tearing.
Mild tendinosis of the distal fibers of infraspinatus tendon without evidence of discrete tear.
Subscapularis tendon fibers are intact.
The intra-articular long head biceps tendon is intact.
Teres minor tendon fibers are intact.
There is no fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff musculature.
JOINTS:
Moderate osteoarthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint.
Mild osteoarthrosis of the glenohumeral joint.
LABRUM:
Degenerative tearing of glenoid labrum.
OSSEOUS STRUCTURES:
No focal marrow replacing lesions are identified. There is no acute fracture.
OTHER:
No evidence of significant joint effusion.
Trace subacromial subdeltoid bursitis.
IMPRESSION:
Moderate tendinosis of distal fibers of supraspinatus tendon with partial thickness interstitial and articular surface tearing.
Mild tendinosis of the distal fibers of infraspinatus tendon without evidence of discrete tear.
Mild to moderate osteoarthrosis of the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints.
Degenerative tearing of glenoid labrum.
Trace subacromial subdeltoid bursitis.

Of course I've googled all of it to see what it means. I've got and appt with an Orthopedist on the 18th. The best "shoulder" doctor here where I live, Isn't available for an appointment till November. My question is, given the results of my MRI , with your experience, I'm wondering is this can be handled with physical therapy. Which my insurance may request first before surgery. Has anyone had the same symptoms and how was it handled? My arm is probably 70% affected. I have no strength in that arm and I'm constantly dropping things. I just hope I can get it repaired or strengthened with PT. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated. Would a cortisone shot work well for this along with PT?
Thank you, Jan