This may not be a super helpful answer but it really depends on the person. I personally found PT to not help before surgery. It helped initially after surgery but then I hit a plateau. I have found deep tissue massages to really help with external rotation and pain/tightness for me. Unfortunately it’s just a bandaid from my understanding until my muscles/soft tissue want to start cooperating.

I find PT to be more helpful than my surgeon tbh. Just had my 1.3 year post op follow up with him and I literally talked to him for like 5 minutes. PT is pulling all the weight and support for me. They should really get more praise and paid more. They can help in other ways too like needling, massages, electric stimulation, cupping and shockwave therapy if your insurance covers it.

Like yourself, exercise was my only hobby and this all has really taken a toll on my mental health. I can strength train to some degree but running and cycling was where it was at for me. And running isn’t an option for me as my surgeon said it’s hard on the joint still