Consultation

The surgeon I found was Stuart Hershon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Specialist and Staff Doctor for the New York Yankees. I was happy to have someone who was not only recommended, but also a sports medicine specialist. I wanted a surgeon that was not only an ortho but also a sports medicine guy; someone who was going to be concerned not only with repairing the shoulder but also with maintaining range of motion.

I procrastinated a little longer and finally got up the nerve to call, only to be thwarted. I called after 4 PM and found that the computers were closed down at 4 even though the office was open until 5 PM. So I called again the following Monday and made an appointment for December 11th.

At my appointment I was asked to take more x-rays when I arrived since Dr. Hershon wanted some pictures that were more comprehensive than the ones I had. Then he and I had a nice chat. I told him my story and he asked me to take off my shirt and to move my left arm to see how my motion was and he gave me the scoop.

He told me, very plainly, that I had a torn labrum and bone spurs and that they could be fixed. When I asked him what I could expect, he told me I would be in and out of the hospital in the same day and that would not be the best day of my life. According Dr. Hershon, I would be home for a little bit, have my arm in a sling for 4-6 weeks and then go through a lot of rehab. A LOT OF REHAB. But the part I really liked was that he told me I did not have to have the surgery.

Now, I went in there with the mindset that I was going to have the surgery but I always disliked surgeons who insist on cutting no matter what you say. Dr. Hershon told me that the surgery was absolutely elective but he would highly recommend it. He said he would not worry about it if I were 64 but since I'm 34 he would get it done before my shoulder came out while I was camping or fishing or biking or running. In short, his stance was "You don't have to have it done but you should." I liked his attitude, his manor and generally got a good feeling from him. I left the office and called a week later to make an appointment for surgery. I was given a date of January 30th