@safarigoddess no, I didn’t get an MRI. I am in Canada and because of our wonderful government health plan, a doctor will only order a test or procedure if it falls under government protocol for a specific problem. MRIs are very expensive so they are only approved as a last resort for diagnosis. First step depending on the health problem is bloodwork/urine analysis or X-ray. If that shows something that needs further exploration the next step would be an ultrasound, then CT Scan, maybe some other tests. If the government is unlikely to pay for a treatment, the doctor will not order it.

My partial rotator cuff tear was diagnosed through an X-ray along with bloodwork to rule out any other inflammation.

On my government plan (I don’t have private insurance as a senior) I was only entitled to six physio sessions of about a half hour each where I was taught a different exercise at each session, to do at home every day. I hate exercise and am not very self disciplined with it in general, but I was in enough pain so I stuck with the exercises - and they paid off! They were really gentle exercises and very doable. Haven’t done any since I got pain free! 😀