Diagnosis. Not to argue at all but to inform of the benefits of PT

PTs are trained, and very skilled in Musculoskeletal assessment and Diagnosis. In fact, they are second only to Orthopedic Surgeons in diagnostic accuracy of Musculoskeletal conditions. The Study below found “CDA of 74.5% (108/145) for PTs, 80.8% (139/172) for OSs, and 35.4% (86/243) for NOPs (non-orthopedic providers)”



There’s also a significant decrease in costs with seeing a Physical Therapist first. Often the condition will improve entirely with PT and save the cost of expensive imaging, and potentially unnecessary procedures. PTs will assess Red Flags and refer on to an Orthopedic Surgeon if it looks like something that will likely need surgery, or if a patient isn’t responding to PT.
(Study cited is specific low back pain, but the principal can be applied to other conditions).



Based on the description in the OP it’s very unlikely that Surgery is needed and an MRI is likely unnecessary. In cases like this PT first is a great option. In the majority of states patients can see a PT without a referral.

(Just to clarify, Orthopedic Surgeons and Sports Med and other Physicians are amazing at what they do, this post is in no way meant to put down any other professions, just wanted to clarify some of the benefits of PT).