I have booked in for shoulder impingement surgery. have been reading some negative comments online re: pain and problems long-term post-op. what can i?

Not common: Discuss with the surgeon. Let him go over MRI pictures with you and what he is doing, what you need to do and expected timeline. Be informed.

Exercise: Make sure you have given adequate time for conservative management including diligent exercise program. Often resolves itself. If requires surgery for impingement, make sure there is visualized downsloping of acromion or spurring under ac joint. Results are generally quite good if there is specific pathology.