Rotator cuff therapy - could it help me avoid surgery?

Depends: Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears can also be helped with nsaids and therapy. However, most full-thickness rotator cuff tears will require surgery. Even after good therapy and rehab, some partial-thickness rotator cuff tears will need surgery.

It can: But at 44 years old it may be worth your while to seek out a second opinion. Sometimes surgery can avoid the progression of your tear. There is never a good time to have surgery but you don't want to cause a worse situation to occur.