How a Teen Athlete Finally Found Relief From Hip Pain

Teen track-and-field athlete Isabel Fox’s journey with hip pain began much earlier than it does for most—it started as a dull hip pain her sophomore year of high school.

However, the track-and-field athlete only experienced the pain post run. It wasn’t until her hurting hip began to affect her performance that she feared it might be something more than a sports strain. Over the next few months, Fox was diagnosed with minor issues and prescribed physical therapy only to have the pain come back quicker and more intense each time.

By the time Fox reached her junior year, she had difficulty walking to class, standing too long, sitting through a full lesson and even sleeping. Something had to give. Her mom found Michael Birns, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic management of sports injuries and her real journey to relief finally began. She was diagnosed with labral tears (the soft tissue that surrounds the hip socket) and underwent arthroscopic labral repair in the right hip at just 20 years old at Delaware County Memorial Hospital.

Now a college sophomore, Fox is still recovering, but she’s already feeling better than ever. She even plans on taking up track again in the near future.

For more information on comprehensive orthopedic care, or to find a joint replacement surgeon, visit Crozer-Keystone. With a full spectrum of  bone, joint and spine services, the Premier/Crozer-Keystone Orthopedics Partnership gives you access to the largest orthopedics group in Pennsylvania.