Is there risk of permanent damage if a torn rotator cuff is not diagnosed properly in a timely manner? In January I tossed a bag that was too heavy and heard a pop in my shoulder followed by sharp pain. Over the next couple of hours I lost 99% of all mobility of my right arm. We went to the ER and got X-rays, which concluded no breaks. It was almost a month before I was able to see my Primary Care doctor (VA doctors) who looked at the report from the ER and asked to see my range of motion. I had been working on stretches and had gained about 20% mobility back. He watched from his desk and scheduled me for acupuncture - of which I just started. The acupuncturist has stated that my records state that I have tendinitis in the back tendons of my shoulder. This is not where it hurts - by about four inches. It is the front tendon connection that I can feel slip across the ball joint. My Primary Care does not want to see me again until Jan of 2015. Am I running a risk with such a blatant misdiagnosis?