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Tiger Woods’ Pain due to injuries in the back caused him to withdraw from several major tournaments in the last decade. Back pain is a common health condition that affects the day-to-day life of many Americans, including sportspeople and athletes. In today’s article, we will discuss Tiger Woods surgery. Read on!
https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics
Tiger Woods Pain Story
Tiger Woods complained of cervical spine pain and bulging discs back in 2020. In 2014, Tiger Woods withdrew from a major tournament due to severe spasms in his lower back. Woods underwent microdiscectomy surgery for a pinched nerve in March 2014.
Although the surgery was successful, Woods experienced lower back pain again in a few months. Woods continued to withdraw from several tournaments due to severe back pain. The champion golfer underwent second microdiscectomy surgery to remove a disc fragment that pinched a nerve in his lower back.
In 2015, Woods underwent a follow-up procedure to relieve discomfort, inflammation, and pain in his lower back. Tiger Woods’ pain has a long history, and he has experienced setbacks throughout his illustrious career. Tiger started to feel back pain again that caused him to withdraw from several major tournaments.
Tiger Woods Surgery – ALIF Procedure
Tiger Woods surgery was an ALIF procedure performed by an orthopedic surgeon. Because Tiger Woods had undergone two microdiscectomy surgeries and a follow-up procedure through a posterior approach, his surgeon advised him to undergo ALIF surgery.
Before undergoing ALIF surgery, Tiger Woods took medications, performed physical therapy and back pain exercises to reduce discomfort. However, these conservative treatment options failed to relieve his lower back pain.
The pain worsened and started radiating down his legs, a condition known as sciatica. That’s when Tiger Woods agreed to undergo ALIF surgery. Remember, this was his fourth back pain surgery in less than three years. Because the surgeons had performed the previous procedures posteriorly, Woods’ spine had become narrowed.
So, it was not suitable for the surgeon to perform another spine surgery posteriorly—that is why Tiger Woods surgery was an ALIF procedure. The procedure involved approaching the damaged area of the spine by making an incision in the front. The surgeon removed a portion of the degenerated disc and filled the space with a bone graft material.
Was Tiger Woods Surgery Successful?
Tiger Woods’s pain worsened even after undergoing three spine surgeries in less than three years. Tiger Woods surgery was ALIF or fusion procedure that provided stability to his spine and reduced painful symptoms.
Instability occurs due to various conditions, including a degenerated disc disease, herniated discs, spinal fractures, scoliosis, and other injuries. Research shows that ALIF surgery is a practical approach for people with active lifestyles.
That’s why Tiger Woods underwent ALIF procedure. Tiger Woods had back spasms, severe pain, and sciatica, and the ALIF procedure allowed him to return to the 2019’s Masters Tournament and won it with style and pride.
ALIF Surgery at MINT, Plano, TX
MINT is a reputable neurosurgery clinic founded and run by Dr. Scott Kutz, a board-certified neurosurgeon with many years of experience in spinal surgeries. Dr. Scott Kutz and his team of neurosurgeons perform spinal surgeries using a minimally invasive technique.
Unlike traditional open-back surgeries that require the surgeon to make a large incision and cut through the muscles to view the damaged area, a minimally invasive approach requires the surgeon to make a tiny incision in the back or front.
Our neurosurgeons use state-of-the-art tools to approach the spine. For example, during a minimally invasive ALIF surgery, our neurosurgeon makes a small incision in the belly and uses specialized instruments to view the spine’s damaged area on a monitor.
The surgeon then removes the portion of a degenerated disc and places a bone graft material in the space. Our surgeon secures the bone graft material with screws and rods. We recommend ALIF procedure like Tiger Woods surgery because it provides excellent results with less blood loss, minimal scarring, reduced risk of damage to the surrounding muscles and nerves, and quicker rehabilitation.
Unlike other minimally invasive techniques requiring the surgeon to make an incision in the back, ALIF involves an incision in the front, increasing the chances of placing a much large bone graft cages, meaning the fusion will take place quickly.
Contact MINT, Plano, TX
You can undergo ALIF surgery if you have back pain due to degenerated disks, herniated discs, or other spinal conditions. Contact MINT today if you have painful symptoms. We will treat your disorder with ALIF and relieve your symptoms like Tiger Wood’s pain.
