I’m actually getting mri on my shoulder tomorrow. Slipped on the ice getting out of my truck to go skiing. It has felt like it was getting better then worse then better again etc. Lately there are certain motions that are eye watering painful.

I’d get it checked out before it gets worse. I waited way too long.

Doc, it hurts when i do this....
Don't do that.

Anecdotal:
I know three people who had their shoulders operated on. All three of them went through major physical therapy that took many months if not years, and they all still have limited flexibility and strength in that shoulder.

I would consider exhaust other options first.

Shoulder is getting better. Reaching arm to other side of body still hurts, raising elbow above shoulder or reaching arm to my back (like trying to access a bike jersey pocket) still creates some discomfort, laying on the shoulder is still painful, but I can otherwise use the arm fairly normally and the lump on top of shoulder seems to be receding a little.

It seems like the soft tissue injuries to the shoulder are worse than bone breaks. I crashed hard on the motorcycle during practice at the race track. Simultaneous concurrent fractures of the clavicle and scapula. Hurt like an SOB but my ortho evaluation concluded that soft tissues were all in good shape and therefore he recommended no surgical intervention. I have a big bump in the middle of my clavicle where the break was, but otherwise no issues after 17 years.

I have had dislocations and separations on both shoulders...my right shoulder has had the most trauma and has the classic lump showing. The last time was kayaking and I popped it back in sitting on my Riverchaser.

I would go see a doc and get the skinny on what has happened.

I decided against surgery and that was the right way for me to go. Lots of PT, etc.

Get checked out then decide on the course best for you.

Its sounds like you definitely have a a/c separation based on your symptoms and the all telling "bump" on top of the shoulder. Mine was a grade 2 with the bump but my shoulder doesn't hang down like some. I wouldn't even consider surgery for anything less than a grade 3 and even for those, doctors usually don't recommend it. For a 1 or 2, there's basically nothing they can do. The doctor will tell you to ice it (20 min intervals) rest, and pt. You'll notice it getting slightly better each week. Yes reaching arm to the other side of the body stretches that ligament and will cause pain, don't stretch it at all while your healing or do any weight training for the first month, but I would recommend a PT for sure.

I injured mine training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was forced to take a month off. The 2nd month I came back and rolled with the injured arm tied to my side. Yesterday was the first day I rolled with both arms. No death matches, just light flowing and all was good so far. This is a very common sports injury but you'll bounce back 100%.
Now I notice I look at peoples shoulders to see if their a member of the "bump" club lol.

Ummm, pardon me, but were you an X-games athlete? Or just hitting the pipe on your own? (I’m a really big X-games fan)