Can a torn rotator cuff ( 1.2 cm ) be treated with physical therapy and anti inflammatory rx?

Worth a try....: I've found that MRI findings and degree of pathology can be misleading, and look worse than the clinical picture (how much pain and disability you are actually having). So, would recommend conservative measures: heat when at rest, ice after excess using the shoulder, anti-inflammatory therapy under a physician's guidance, and yes, physical therapy. If remains a problematic shoulder, surgical rx.

Yes, sometimes: Some rotator cuff tears will symptomatically improve with physical therapy, nsaids, +/- corticosteroid injection; therefore non-operative treatment should be tried first (unless your tear was traumatic or there is other specific reason in your case to operate sooner). Cuff tears generally do not heal on their own so if non-op tx (pt, nsaids, etc) fails (symptoms persist), consider surgery.

Rotator cuff tear: A torn rotator cuff tendon (tendon insertion detached from upper humerus) cannot heal by itself. People may choose to live with a rotator cuff tear, however very active individuals may still experience pain with activity. Sometimes pain may continue at rest, especially sleep. When this occurs, surgery is recomended. Non-operative treatment consists of nsaids and physical therapy. Good luck!

Not full thickness: If the 1.2 cm tear in your rotator cuff goes all the way through the tendon, then non-operative treatment is unlikely to completely resolve your symptoms. The rotator cuff helps to move the shoulder joint and when it becomes torn from the bone, it's function is compromised. Full-thickness rotator cuff tears do not heal on there own and small tears progress to large years over time. Get it fixed!