A military pa told me, after 3 yrs complaining about pain, that i have a tear in my rotator cuff with fluid in my shoulder. why would she refer me to physical therapy and not orthopedics?

Shoulder pain: A rotator cuff can be strenghtened even if torn. By working the non damaged muscles around the cuff, they become stronger and it gives time for the cuff to repair itself. If that fails then a trip to ur local pain doc may be of beneft.

More conservative : Approach. If no improvement, you'll end up by the orthopedist anyways.

Rotator Cuff Tear: May be that your tear is very small and not complete. Surgical options are considered after failed conservative treatment. In some cases surgical repair and decompression becomes 1st line treatment.

Orthopedic referral: If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear then i would recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon who can better determine if you should have therapy versus a rotator cuff tear. If you have a tear and need surgery then delaying that surgery could worsen your final outcome. See an orthopedic surgeon.

Not sure: Possibly the pa who saw you believes you have rotator cuff tendinitis and not a tear. Then a trial of rotator cuff strengthening exercises is appropriate... Although 3 yrs. Of pain is atypical for tendinitis / bursitis. I would think that w/ your long history of shoulder pain an examination by an orthopedic surgeon and MRI is now indicated. Other diagnoses in a 30 yr old should be ruled out also.!

Tear: Depends on extent of tear. If tear is significant and you have strength deficit - it may be appropriate to see orthopedic surgeon