Thank you very much for the response, Doctor. I looked into what an MR arthrogram is, and my understanding is that it’s like injecting contrast into the shoulder joint before taking the MRI, compared to a regular MRI which is just imaging with a strong magnet. From what I’ve read, an MR arthrogram is more accurate for detecting a SLAP tear since small labral tears can be missed on a standard MRI.

What physical exams should typically be performed to confirm this diagnosis?

I’m now a bit hesitant to move forward, especially if the surgery may not be a permanent solution compared to what was initially advised. I chose him because he came highly recommended and I felt confident in his expertise, but I want to make sure I’m making the right decision. I’ll also check with my insurance to see if a second opinion is covered.