ya i know people that had 10% rotator cuff tears, and they colapsed and cried like babies for hours on end! even at school when they would just be walking in the hallways! i blew mine out twice, one was during a wrestling match, i had them tape my entire arm to my body totally imobalized, and finished the match. (i lost but by not giving up the forfeight the team won) orthapedic told me that it was probably a 50% tear originally then finishing the match ripped it 20% more.

good luck with the g/f. trust me i have been in your boat before. its a no win till you figure things out, but if you figure things out its usually over something small and insignificant in your opinion!