Tiger Woods’ Spine Condition
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Tiger Woods’ Spine Condition made him withdraw from several major tournaments. However, after his ALIF surgery in 2017, he made a great comeback and won the 2018 Masters’ tournament. Indeed, it was one of the fascinating comebacks in sports history. For those who suffer from debilitating back pain, Woods’ successful ALIF surgery is hope for them.
Low back pain is a common condition, and anyone can suffer from it at some point in their life. Woods underwent various invasive procedures to avoid his lumbar fusion and sciatic pain over four years. However, they were not successful. That’s why he decided to undergo anterior lumbar interbody fusion, which is one of the most effective spine condition treatments.
Tiger Woods Spine Condition and Treatment
Before Tiger Woods underwent ALIF surgery, the doctors presented him with different options available to treat his lumbar spine. He also underwent conservative treatments such as medications and physical therapy, but they only gave him temporary relief from his back and leg pain.
Woods, thus, opted for ALIF because it has many benefits compared to open-back surgery and minimally invasive posterior surgery. With the option to do ALIF, the surgeon operated Woods in April 2017 because he was continuously complaining of debilitating pain in his back and leg.
The champion golfer relied on the spinal surgeon to choose the right type of implant for his back. The surgeon selected the Centinel spine fusion implant for Woods’ ALIF operation.
The Centinel spine implant has excellent quality and high clinical success rates. Several research studies validate the use of this implant in ALIF surgery. The ALIF surgery involved approaching the spine of Woods through small incisions from the front. The surgeon reached the L5/S1 lumbar vertebrae and placed the implant between the two bones.
Spine Condition Treatments – Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Spinal fusion is a procedure used to treat problems with the vertebrae of the spine. In simple words, it is something like a ‘welding’ process. The idea is to fuse the vertebrae that cause painful sensations in the back and legs.
The process involves the fusion of two vertebrae into a single, solid bone. The lumbar interbody fusion is an option when motion causes pain. Research shows that painful vertebrae as a result of movement should get treatment immediately to avoid further complications.
Tiger Wood Spine Condition is an example for those who are delaying the surgical procedure. Although Woods performed various surgeries, they were not as successful as ALIF.
An interbody fusion is a type of spinal fusion surgery in which the surgeon removes the intervertebral disk from the spine. The surgeon can perform this type of surgery using different approaches, for example, PLIF and ALIF. Both PLIF and ALIF has its advantages and disadvantages.
However, when it comes to protecting the muscles, tissues, and nerves of the spine, surgeons opt to approach the back from the front. This is where ALIF proves itself beneficial for people with an active lifestyle. The surgeon could have performed PLIF, but considering Tiger Woods spine condition and his muscles in the back, ALIF was the only option.
Benefits of Spine Condition Treatments – ALIF
Also, when it comes to Spine Condition Treatments, the surgeon can access the back through incisions in the lower spine or on the side. ALIF focuses on approaching the patient’s spine from the abdomen by making smaller incisions.
Although surgeons perform most spinal procedures using a posterior approach, surgeons at the Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas choose ALIF for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Avoiding multiple surgeries in the back if the patient has already had previous surgeries using a posterior approach.
- Allowing more direct access to the spine of the patient, especially the intervertebral disc.
- Having the ability to add lordosis to the spine of the patient.
- Fewer incisions, reduced pain, and quicker recovery.
In most situations, the patient will stay in the clinic or hospital from 1-3 days following the surgery. The length of the patient’s stay in the hospital depends on clinical care, for example, controlling the pain as well as the ability to stand, sit down, and move around.
Surgeons at Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas encourage patients to stand and walk by the first day after the surgical procedure. We provide patients with various tools, such as back braces, to make them feel more comfortable and protect surgical fusion.
So much so, a patient would require to perform basic exercises, especially routine walking during the initial weeks after ALIF. The surgery procedure treated Tiger Woods Spine Condition, and if you have pain in the back or leg, you can contact us, and we will make sure to suggest the best spine condition treatments for you.
