just returned from 2nd appt. with orthopedic dr. re rotator cuff: i'm 71 yr. old female, who works out hard with weights/cardio for years; know alot of people from our health club (around my age who have same issues; most of them opt out of surgery as there's no guarantee it'll resolve); i started at p.t. 2x/week in dec. and realized i've got all the bands and weights and access to equipment at my health club so i am doing p.t. (found plenty of stretches/exercises on youtube); when i first saw ortho after a month of p.t. he only took xrays and gave me a cortisone shot and thinks mine is `near frozen shoulder' but who knows when or how i injured my rotator cuff (age and overuse contribute); i can't reach behind my back to unfasten bra and certain positions behind back or crossing arm to other side of body hurt; ibu helps and i told ortho today i notice some improvement, tho very slow...he said it could take up to a year and the reality is the pain may never go away totally so i'm working on accepting my limits as far as lifting wts. (nothing overhead) i'm a fanatic about doing the p.t. at home daily or at the club (live across the street fromhealth club) and the majority of those whom i've spoken to who have had surgery haven't had much success. good luck.