Golf and Back Pain – How Tiger Woods Dealt With It
Image sourced from Freepik
Golf and back pain goes hand in hand because the repetitive movements cause strains, discomfort, and pressure on the athlete’s spinal structures. Tiger Woods is a professional golf player who has won numerous tournaments and titles.
However, golf has also taken a massive toll on his health and wellbeing. Tiger Woods had undergone three spinal surgeries followed by ALIF surgery in 2017. Today’s article will discuss golf and back pain and how the champion golfer dealt with it. Read on!
Tiger Woods Back Pain Story
Tiger Woods back pain story is full of surprises for his fans. Woods experienced back pain for the first time in May 2010 while playing in a major tournament. Woods was halfway through the final round but withdrew from the tournament due to tingling sensations in his right side. Doctors said that the Woods had a herniated disc that pinched his nerve. However, Woods didn’t undergo a proper diagnostic procedure. So, it was never confirmed.
Woods complained of a stiff neck in August 2013 while playing the ninth hole out of eighteen in a golf tournament. However, he continued to play, but Woods dropped to the ground during the thirteenth hole due to severe back pain. Woods said that the soft mattress in his hotel rooms had caused the pain.
Tigers Woods withdrew from the Honda Classic Tournament in March 2014 due to severe back pain. Woods found it challenging to stretch, move, and play golf. That’s why golf and back pain had become parts of Woods’ life.
Woods underwent a microdiscectomy surgery in April 2014. The surgery involved removing a herniated disc to relieve a pinched nerve. Woods did not participate in the Masters’ tournament due to surgery. However, he had plans to play in summer 2014.
Moreover, Woods underwent another microdiscectomy surgery in 2015 to relieve his back pain. Tiger Woods back pain required him to undergo a follow-up surgery to stabilize his pain. Although these surgeries were successful and allowed Woods to play golf for some time, Woods suffered from lumbar spine pain and sciatica.
Golf and Back Pain – Woods ALIF Surgery
Tiger Woods took medication, performed exercises, and participated in physical therapy sessions, but these treatments failed to relieve his lumbar spine and sciatic pain. Woods consulted his surgeon, who advised him to undergo ALIF surgery.
Woods agreed and underwent the ALIF surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon made a small incision in the front to approach Woods’ lumbar spine. The surgeon removed the damaged disc between the L5 and S1 structures in Woods’ lower back.
The surgeon used special devices, including the endoscope, to view Woods’ damaged lumbar spine. After removing the damaged disc, the surgeon inserted a bone graft material using a cage and secured it with rods and screws.
The surgeon removed the devices, including the tiny camera, and closed the incision. Woods underwent a four to six months rehabilitation period to recover from the surgery. During the rehabilitation period, Woods performed physical therapy, took medication, and even ate anti-inflammatory food to speed up the recovery process.
Tiger Woods’ ALIF surgery was successful that allowed him to return to professional golf. Woods participated in 2019’s Masters Tournament. Tiger looked fit and energetic throughout the tournament and played effectively. As a result, Tiger won the tournament and added another title to his name.
Why ALIF is a Better Surgical Approach?
ALIF is a much better surgical approach than other techniques, particularly for people who have previously undergone spinal surgeries. For example, Tiger Woods underwent three spinal surgeries before he underwent ALIF surgery in 2017.
Woods’ spine had become severely narrowed due to surgeries performed through a posterior approach. That’s why it was impossible to undergo another surgery posteriorly. That’s why Woods’ surgeon recommended him to undergo ALIF surgery.
ALIF surgery requires a back specialist to make a small incision in the belly to reach the area of concern in the patient’s lumbar spine. The anterior or ALIF technique allows the surgeon to place a larger cage, leading to effective and faster fusion of two vertebrae into a single, solid bone.
Contact MINT Today
MINT is a professional and reputable neurosurgery clinic in Plano, TX, run by Dr. Scott Kutz, a qualified and board-certified neurosurgeon with many years of experience performing minimally invasive surgeries for treating spinal pain.
MINT has a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology tools and equipment to streamline the surgery process. Contact us today for advanced treatment options like ALIF surgery for golf and back pain.
