Serious Post: Advice Needed
I received an email from a friend who has been dealing with an injury/chronic pain condition for almost two years now. (Holy crap! Has it really been almost 2 years!)
She originally thought she’d pulled an oblique muscle, and was having a lot of pain in the oblique area that seemed to get worse when she would do such crazy things as run, walk, yoga, pilates, etc. Before you say, “see a doctor!” I want to let you know that she has seen more than just the one. Also a naturopath/acupuncturist, chiropractor, physical therapist, and a voodoo practicitioner (actually, that last one is probably made up on my part – if she’s tried some kind of voodoo, I’m not aware of it).
The pain has not stayed in the same place – it moves around. To her hip, or her other regions of the body, or Aruba (but it never stays in Aruba). Recently, as a result of her most recent MRI, it was determined by the MRI reader that she has a labral tear. The doctor wants to do a diagnostic arthroscopy and surgery.
My friend was hoping that one of you crazy runner people out there has experienced a moving pain like this and/or has had this kind of arthroscopic procedure and can offer some words of wisdom/comfort/advice.
I don’t want to reveal a lot of details about her or the reasons why she’s trying to decide if it’s worth it to have the surgery now (with the resulting with intensive PT, 2x/week for one hour each time for 3 months) or wait another 6-12 months, but this is a decision she’s going to have to make fairly soon.
So – wise & helpful internets – what say you? Have you had a weird yet super painful injury like this? Have you had arthroscopic surgery? Would you do it now, even though that might mean a huge, stressful upheaval in an already stressed & upheaved life? Would you wait until you were less situationally anxious but deal with the (already 2 years of) pain for another year?
Please help a fellow runner out, so she can run pain-free again. Thanks in advance! You guys are the awesomest.
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