Thanks to all who have commented here. I didn't even know what a SLAP tear was.

I have a severely arthritic left shoulder. I guess "severe" is relative because I can still do a lot and I'm in the gym everyday. I just know it's not gonna get better and I'll need a replacement, hopefully not a reverse. I don't think my rotator cuff is damaged and I have good range of motion. But some nights it hurts like hell even when I don't sleep on that side.

I have heard more success stories from shoulder replacement patients than from patients who have had surgery to repair a RC, or is this case, a tear in the cartilage lining (SLAP). I don't have any cartilage left so there is nothing to tear. Call me lucky I guess.

I just don't understand why, in general, surgery on soft tissue in the shoulder is so difficult to treat successfully. Does anyone have any insight into this?

I'm 70 now, very fit fortunately and have had both knees replaced, left hip scheduled for March and left shoulder on deck. I'm just baffled that a TSR or RTSR seems to generate fewer post-op complaints than surgery on soft tissue in the shoulder. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

(And I suggest doing whatever it takes, and waiting as long as it takes to get a good surgeon. My criteria, FWIW, are doctors in their late 30s to late 40s with a solid med school pedigree and/or residency at a prestigious facility (Mayo or Cleveland Clinic). These surgeons are still young and ambitious, current on best practices, and have done hundreds if not thousands of procedures. Hope that helps, and all the best to my fellow shoulder sufferers. I sincerely wish you all the best. Joe)