It depends on what the actual injury is. I went through a year of physical therapy after a shoulder injury before agreeing to have an MRI with contrast done. The MRI showed that my only option all along was surgery due to several ruptured muscles and torn tendons. No amount of PT would ever repair it. I chose an athlete's orthopedist because I need to be able to lift 50-lb. bags and work with my hands above my head in my orchard, and I'm glad I did. I'm now four days post surgery and healing nicely. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to find out what was really wrong!