Steps to a Decision

My initial doctor had one of two explanations for the pain:  a stress fracture or a torn labrum.  God, please let it be a torn labrum was my first reaction (Boy, how wrong could I be).  I was sent for a MRI arthogram, which officially confirmed it.  And, the MRI report said extensive damage.  Come again, did you say extensive damage?  The doctors final advice: stop running immediately.  Talk about kicking someone when they are down.

By that point, I had done enough research to know that this was not good.  I was immediately referred to their surgeon.  I met with him in early December and he recommended surgery, because as luck would have it, a torn labrum never repairs itself.  I opted to have a second opinion with the doctor who helped with my knee (he is a skillful doctor that does both knees and hips--did I mention that he is Harvard educated).  His advice turned my world upside down because I had pretty much resigned myself to surgery.  He started by saying that he had a torn shoulder labrum and that his wife is a shoulder surgery--and he would not let her do surgery on him.  My pain had leveled off with not running and he suggested finding another method of working out that did not cause pain.  But, if that did not work, you need to go to one of the top guys performing hip arthoscopy.  The joy I felt leaving his office.  

That joy was grimly met with reality.  No matter what I tried, there was that constant pain.  The more I tried, the worse it hurt.  Darn you, hip labrum.  

When I finally broke down and bawled in my husband's arms, I knew it was time.  I had to find relief.  That's when I first heard the name:  Dr. Thomas Byrd.