Shoulder pain, mri showed no tears, pain for 9 months?

Referred pain?: Shoulder pain can have many different causes. Obviously the actual shoulder can be one but many times there can be referred pain from the cervical spine, upper back etc. A physical examination followed by imaging can often rule out certain causes and narrow the differential diagnosis. Sometimes conditions such as bursitis have non specific imaging findings on Mri but can be a cause of discomfort.

Shoulder Pain: if your XR and MRI are normal, see an orthopedic expert for an opinion and get involved in massage and physiotherapy. Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) 2-3 times a day as long as it is safe for you. All the best. 9 months is a long time.

Other factors: problems such as glenohumeral joint degeneration, AC joint degeneration and impingeme can cause shoulder pain without any tears on MRI. Also tears of the labrum may not show up on a non contrast MRI. Scapula dyskinesia can also cause shoulder pain but normal MRI. Finally issues or problems coming from the neck can cause referred pain to the shoulder. Best to see shoulder specialist to help you