Shoulder arthritis pain: cortisone injection

Cotisone lasts for a while, meanwhile you're pretending there's no pain there, grinding and tearing. Then you get your next shot. Rinse repeat. The joint does not fix itself, no matter what your pain level tells you. I went about every four months for a cortisone shot in my shoulder for about a year and a half, and elected for surgery ~35. Never had a problem since.

You may want to get a second opinion. A doctor telling you to deal with pain potentially for 3-5 years seems odd, especially as you're sort of in the prime of getting older. What does he think you're going to be doing with your shoulder at 70 where he really wants the repair to "last?" Not to mention, at least hip and knee replacements last longer than their organic hosts these days. You could probably dig up my grandmother, pull a few joints out, rinse 'em off, and use them again. ETA: close friend got a knee replacement, and all he says is that he wishes he'd done it sooner.

Maybe try cryo therapy? NSAIDS on the daily for years doesn't seem like it's going to do your liver and your kidneys any favors.

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significant labrum tear. Only regret was waiting to elect for surgery and not mess with steroids for 2-3 years

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Did they do a no-contrast MRI? I had an arthroscopic SLAP repair in a similar situation, but the MRI (contrast injection was the worst) clearly showed the tear.

If you can get a shoulder MRI on a 3T magnet at a reputable place that does tests on athletes you can like do that instead of an arthrogram and it should show the tears. I'm actually going through this now. The steroid injection was my first step and now PT. Opted for not doing the MRI yet as the Dr said let's see how PT and injection works.

Probably depends on how bad the arthritis is.

I had it in my knee where something kept snagging when I walked up stairs. It also hurt to push off with the leg while playing hockey. I got a cortisone shot and was better with in a week. Haven't received anymore shots.