Going on about 2 years since my RC surgery.

I tried the Cort shots, they just provide temporary relief of inflammation....it has no healing properties or restorative properties to damaged tissues.

I wish I had not waited so long and just had it done when I first had the shots. I wasted about 5 years or so of my life being in almost daily agony, loss of sleep and turned me into a down right bitter ******* to everyone around me. I could not lift a carton of milk or pour a glass of wine. When I lifted my arm it sounded like a Snap On ratchet wrench . It hurt and ached everyday.

If there is a tear, it will not heal by itself or magically go away. Surgery is the only way to solve it. I was scared ****less that the surgery would go awry and that's whyI put if off for so long. Five anchors later in my shoulder to repair the damage and lots of read but I can now say that my shoulder feels FANTASTIC.

I get a ting every now and then and still get a few crackles when I overdo it but I have no regrets. Get the imaging done and see what's really going on in there.
I had one of the best surgeons in the country do my work. He has worked on many major sports players and was vetted to work on White House occupants.