My mom had a torn rotator cuff and had surgery last summer. She works in a school cafe and tore hers (we are assuming, she only went to the doc after it hurt for like a YEAR!!)by lifting a case of something over her head. A bone spur in there complicated things.
She had outpatient surgery (not orthoscopic) and had her arm immobilized for one month. After the first week, she could take it out of the brace while sitting, but she could NOT use it. . .she had to move it around with her other hand. (I hear that underarm shaving and bra wearing were INTERESTING!!
)Anyway, a month later she started therapy, and did so well she was released from the doctor's care and therapy a full 2 months early. No problems now, but she makes SURE she doesn't lift anything over her head anymore.
The secret to her success was a very attentive husband who learned the therapy exercises and MADE her do them EVERY NIGHT. Whether or not you have surgery, the exercises are what makes it or breaks it!!!
Let us know how it goes!!! GOOD LUCK!!!