A Look Back at Tiger Woods’s Past Injuries
A Look Back at Tiger Woods’s Past Injuries
If you're a golf fan, then you've probably heard of Tiger Woods' repeated back injuries and perhaps his toolbox too. In this article we will take a walk through some of those major injuries during the course of his career.
Did you know that Tiger Woods has had several other injuries? This article will look back at his past injuries and how he dealt with them.
Tiger Woods’s Infamous Achilles' Tendon Injury
Tiger Woods has been battling with Achilles' tendon injuries for several years. Tiger Woods' Achilles' tendon was first injured during a jogging accident. He went on to win the U.S. Open two months after the surgery.
He tore his right Achilles' tendon in December 2008, but didn't reveal the injury until the 2010 Masters. He also struggled with his left Achilles' tendon in 2011 and withdrew from the final round of the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship. Despite this, Tiger has continued to play.
The injury kept him out of the Masters and Players Championship, but he returned in August to compete in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
He also underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair damage to the left knee cartilage. During the same season, he withdrew from the Players Championship after nine holes.
Woods had not played 18 holes in two months before the injury. He was advised by his orthopedic surgeon not to play in the US Open, but despite the injury, he went on to win the tournament. In a play-off against Rocco Mediate, Woods won the US Open.
His Fifth Back Surgery
The golf star had a microdiscectomy procedure on his back, which involved removing a pressurized disc fragment that was pinching a nerve. The surgeries are just temporary fixes. Despite what many people think, Woods' back troubles aren't going away anytime soon.
He had a minor follow-up after the September surgery. Woods' back problems have plagued him throughout his career. In 2014, he withdrew from the Honda Classic because of back pain. Later, he had back surgery and missed several more tournaments.
He also withdrew from the 2010 Players Championship because of pain in his neck. In addition to the back pain, he also suffered a bulging disk in his neck that caused tingling sensations in his right side.
The Achilles' Tendon Injury’s 2008 Return
After suffering an Achilles tendon injury in December 2008, Woods was advised to rest for six weeks. The injury required surgery to repair his ACL in his left knee, using a tendon from his right thigh.
He missed the rest of the 2008 season, but returned in February 2009 for the Match Play Championship. The injury, despite his ailment, has been one of the limiting factors in Tiger Woods' recent success.
Tiger Woods was also forced to pull out of the Players Championship after nine holes. This was his second consecutive early exit. At first, he claimed that the pain was in his right knee, but doctors later determined it to be an Achilles' tendon injury.
In May 2010, Tiger Woods feared he may have a bulging disc in his neck. Fortunately, doctors determined that the pain was actually an inflamed facet joint in his neck. In December 2010, he had a cortisone shot in his ankle, which helped relieve the soreness in his Achilles.
He went on to win five tournaments in 2011 and 2012, before withdrawing from the Players Championship in May of 2012.
Despite the discomfort, Tiger Woods is determined to play through his pain and recover as quickly as possible. In the wake of the surgery, he wins the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines and finishes second at the U.S. Open. Despite the surgery, he missed the Players Championship. He explained the injury by multiple fog delays.
Hit the Road Tiger
When Woods was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident outside of Los Angeles, according to a statement from his doctor, Woods sustained "significant" injuries to his right
leg and ankle.
Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, said that, Woods suffered comminuted open fractures to the upper and lower sections of his right leg, as well
as significant trauma to his right ankle. Doctors needed to insert a rod, screws and pins to stabilize Woods’ leg, Mahajan said in a statement.
One would have thought that after all this, so many injuries something would happen to Tiger Wood's spirit and zeal for the game but it is almost as though each injury and set back is another source of inspiration for the Master.
Truly we must ask the question, what kind of steel is he made of?
The Final Swing
Tiger Woods' injuries have not stopped him from becoming one of the greatest golfers of all time. He has shown immense resilience in the face of adversity, and his comebacks have been some of the most inspiring moments in sports.
Despite the injuries, Tiger Woods has continued to play at a high level and is still considered one of the best golfers in the world.
We cannot wait to see what he will do next, or maybe Charile will follow in his father’s footsteps and this time it will be for fun!