Tiger Woods Case Study Part 4: Try, try, and try again
As we dive back into Part 3, Tiger Woods' journey has been nothing short of a test of resilience. Over the years, he has faced numerous setbacks, including multiple surgeries on his lower back and knees, as well as chronic issues with his ankles and Achilles tendons. These challenges, compounded by relentless back pain, have cast a shadow over his recent years as a golfer. And just when it seemed like he couldn’t face more adversity, the roll-over car accident in 2021 added another daunting chapter to his story. This is where we pick up…
2021, rollover car accident
This time, his left leg was mostly spared, while his right leg and ankle sustained significant damage. These injuries included compound and comminuted fractures to the femur and tibia. Rod’s, screws, and pins were used to stabilize the bones.
From Dr. Peter Larkins X profile.
Comminuted and compound fractures
To break down these terms, a comminuted fracture is a broken bone that has split or fractured into more than two pieces. Regarding a compound fracture, this means that the bone(s) has split through the skin and is exposed to the environment. Obviously, both characteristics, comminuted and compound, indicate extreme trauma and are serious medical emergencies.
2023, plantar foot pain and ankle fusion
In 2023, Tiger Woods made the cut at the Masters, but decided to withdraw on Sunday morning due to a flare up of recurring Plantar fasciitis.
Later that year, he also announced a sub-talar fusion to address arthritic pain from a previous fracture.
Example of sub-talar fusion
Subtalar Fusion
This surgery fuses or connects the talus bone with the calcaneus bone. This joint is then effectively gone, taking away the ankles ability to dorsiflex, or bring the toes toward the shin. This is a critical motion for walking, running, and creating motion at the foot and ankle.
2024, back surgery
Yet again, Tiger underwent a surgery to relieve tension on a nerve. This was his 6th back surgery. Tiger only played in 5 events in 2024, including a last place finish at the Masters and missed cuts in the final 3 majors.
Conclusion
Tiger Woods has endured a relentless cycle of musculoskeletal pain and injuries that have defined the latter part of his career. From his first surgery in 1994 for benign tumor removal to his sixth back surgery in 2024, his journey highlights the compounding effects of injuries, surgeries, and incomplete rehabilitation. As we've explored in this series, it becomes evident how one unresolved dysfunction, incomplete rehab, or isolated focus may have perpetuated a cascade of pain and dysfunction.
But could Tiger’s recovery have taken a different path? By integrating concepts of regional interdependence and tailoring rehab with a golf-specific approach, could we have minimized his injuries and surgeries? Join us in Part 5 as we dive deeper into this question and explore alternative strategies for optimizing recovery and performance.
-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.
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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.
