Never tell an orthopedic surgeon you want to look at alternatives to surgery. It bends them out of shape.

When I told my surgeon that I wanted to put off the rotator cuff surgery scheduled for June 9, he offered dire warnings that came up just short of my arm falling off.

Still, I'd like to look at other ways to deal with the problem: Some cortisone to break up the bone spur, physical therapy to help the muscles heal, more exercise to take off weight and maybe acupuncture.

Don't want to make an off the cuff decision...and the pun is fully intended.