Tiger Woods Case Study Part 3: Dominoes falling

Dec 2

This week, we dive into the pivotal years of Tiger Woods’ low back pain. Starting in 2013, when the world first caught a glimpse of his back issues, we’ll trace his journey through to 2021—just before his infamous rollover car accident. Along the way, we’ll examine his winnings, career statistics, and the series of injuries and surgeries that defined this period.

Up until this point, Tiger’s injuries had primarily been concentrated in his left lower extremity, with a few exceptions. We've previously explored the concept of regional interdependence, illustrating how his low back challenges may have been years in the making—potentially starting as far back as his first procedure to remove two benign tumors from his left knee. Over time, attention shifted away from his knee surgeries and ankle injuries, eventually zeroing in on his low back. But we haven’t forgotten the crucial role his knees, ankles, upper back, and shoulders played—and continue to play—in contributing to his back pain, injuries, and eventual surgeries.

2013-2021 winnings

From and including 2013 to 2021, Tiger woods finished first in tournaments 8 times, taking home around $20 million. During this time, Tiger had 0 first place finishes in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021. We can also see his annual winnings plummet as the years advanced, including a few years below $70,000.

2014, low back spasms and surgery.

In 2014, Tiger withdraws from the 13th green in the final round of the Honda Classic due to low back spasms. He states he was feeling similar symptoms and pain that dropped him to his knees in 2013. Tiger underwent surgery for a “pinched nerve” in his low back and for the first time in his professional career, voluntarily misses Masters. Tiger will withdraw mid around again later this year due to low back pain stemming from an awkward shot with an awkward lie.

2015, low back pain and microdiscectomy

In 2015, Tiger withdraws from another round due to low back pain. He later will undergo another low back surgery, the time specifically citing a microdiscectomy. Later in summer, Tiger undergoes ANOTHER low back procedure to follow up the microdiscectomy. This time to relieve withstanding discomfort.

Microdiscectomy

This procedure is used to remove disc material that is protruding or bulging. Disc bulges or protrusions warrant a procured like this when it is encroaching on the spinal nerves that leave the spinal column. When these nerves are impinged, pain and inflammation is common at the low back, thigh, calf, and even foot. These symptoms can be aching, burning, sharp, or shooting in nature. In more severe cases, the patient can have muscle weakness and loss of sensation.

2017, back spasms, surgery, and handcuffs.

In 2016, Tiger again missed the Masters due to physical limitations in his recovery from the previous year’s surgeries. In 2017, he again missed the Masters after fighting back spasms early in the season stating he was not tournament ready. Tiger withdraws and chooses not to enter numerous tournaments throughout the 2017 season until getting another low back surgery in April. This time, the disc was removed completely and replaced, helping to take pressure off spinal nerves and the vertebrae themselves.

Later in 2017, Tiger Woods was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Tiger later said that alcohol was not involved, but instead was having an unexpected reaction to his medically prescribed medications. Tiger eventually pleaded guilty to the consequence of $250 fine and a year probation. In October, Tiger made his first competitive start in the last 9 months.

2019, neck, oblique, and knee

Tiger completed the 2018 season without major catastrophes or surgeries. In 2019, he pulled himself from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a strain in his neck. Later that year, he withdrew from the Northern Trust due to an oblique strain. Soon after, he underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left knee to repair damaged ligaments.

Despite this, Tiger did succeed in securing his latest Major championship at the Masters. This was Tigers 5th Masters victory and 15th Major.

2021, another microdiscectomy…

This was Tigers 5th microdiscectomy in his lumbar spine. A disc fragment was creating pressure on the nerves exiting the spine. Soon after, Tiger was involved in a serious single care rollover accident… but this is where we will pick up in part 4!

Trauma, compensation, pain, repeat

Tiger's extensive history of injuries and surgeries highlights how pain and dysfunction in one area can create compensatory patterns throughout the body. Over time, these compensations often lead to new problems elsewhere.

For example, his left knee injuries and surgeries likely caused compensatory changes in his body's biomechanics, placing additional stress on his lower back. The human body operates as a complex, adaptive system, constantly evolving in response to injuries and other stressors. While we can’t definitively prove cause and effect, we can measure how injury and surgery alter the body’s mechanics—such as force development and absorption patterns. A well-known example is ACL repair, where altered biomechanics post-surgery often lead to injury of the other ACL! Why? The body's movement patterns have been fundamentally changed.

In Tiger’s case, injuries and surgeries to both knees and ankles undoubtedly impact his biomechanics. To address this, it’s not enough to restore range of motion and general strength. These elements must be re-integrated into the athlete’s dynamic system—his motor patterns—to optimize function and prevent further injuries!

Conclusion

The timeframe highlighted in this article underscores a fundamental principle: the body eventually reflects the patterns it has endured. The previous two articles explored the development of compensations and altered motor control, which have now culminated in the outcomes discussed here. Stay tuned for Part 4, where we’ll wrap up Tiger’s career injuries and distill the key components from this series, focusing on insights into rehab and performance optimization.

-Dr. Nick DC, MS, TPI, CSCS

If you would like to learn more about your body, pain, and performance, send Dr. Nick an email at contact@integratedrpc.com or call at (585)478-4379, or schedule a FREE discovery visit at Contact.

Instagram @Integrated.Rehab.Performance

P.S. if you have mobility deficits, joint restrictions, pain, or injury that is limiting or holding you back in golf and fitness, consider how regional interdependence is at play and impacting your ability to recover, create swing faults, and lead to continued pain and injury.