Tiger Woods was involved in a serious single-vehicle car crash earlier this week, and the early reports suggest that he suffered severe injuries to his legs. Specific details are still a bit scarce, but Dr. Silverman has seen how this type of trauma can affect a person’s legs, ankles and feet in the past. In today’s blog, he talks about the treatment options for some of Tiger’s suspected and confirmed lower body injuries, and he tries to answer the question everyone is wondering right now, which is, “Will Tiger Woods be able to play golf again?”
Dr. Silverman Breaks Down Tiger Woods’ Leg Injuries
It is apparent from the recent New York Times article that Tiger Woods sustained a tibia fracture. Tibial fractures are quite common in patients subjected to crush injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Along with a fracture to the tibia, this type of trauma typically involves damage to the tissue surrounding the tibia. This oftentimes results in tissue swelling that needs a fasciotomy procedure to treat and prevent impending compartment syndrome. A fasciotomy involves a surgical release of the strong fibrous tissue that holds the muscles of the leg together. Athletic individuals who undergo fasciotomies don’t always get the same exact force production back.
Because of the nature of the tissue release, a fasciotomy turns fracture into open wounds and open fractures. The commonplace term for an open fracture is a compound fracture. These types of fractures take much longer to heal, but it is better than the potential alternative, because if a fasciotomy is needed but not performed, permanent dysfunction or even the need for amputation can arise.
The article also notes that Woods sustained significant foot injuries, and the fact that he had pins and screws inserted suggests that among other things, he’s likely dealing with a midfoot fracture dislocation. During this type of trauma, the metatarsal joints can be significantly disrupted. They require immediate fixation for best stabilization. However, patients who sustain these injuries often have long-term effects of stiffness and chronic pain in the foot.
This is a severe injury to his lower body, particularly to his right foot. This is his push off foot during his swing, which involves the creation of maximum pressure as he shifts his weight from back to front to complete his powerful swing. His driving ability will be affected. The stiffness in his foot will make it extremely difficult for him to work on uneven ground, which is everywhere on the PGA Tour. Inclines and slopes on the courses, and the sand traps in particular, will become increasingly troublesome for him.
This is a really sad injury for anyone, but for Mr. Woods, this is a career threatening injury.
Some patients with these severely damaged legs end up with chronic pain and may benefit from below the knee amputation for a more functional limb. It would be best for Mr. Woods to go and heal the fractures in his lower leg first before ever considering that. Once they have healed, he may potentially be a better golfer with a right below the knee amputation. And while that seems extreme, it will all depend on his pain levels and his dysfunction following the recovery from the surgery. He will spend the better part of 18 months to two years in recovery for all of this.
With all of that said, even though we don’t know the complete extent of the damage, when you consider Tiger’s age, the fact that he has already undergone multiple spinal surgeries and the level of fitness needed to be able to compete at the professional level, all signs seem to be pointing towards one discouraging conclusion. It’s possible that he could recover enough to enjoy countless aspects of everyday life, but it just seems incredibly unlikely that we’ll ever see Tiger Woods in the hunt for a tournament victory on a Sunday afternoon ever again. He may be able to play recreationally or compete in some less serious Pro-Ams or the Par 3 contest at the Masters, but he was already in the extreme twilight of his career prior to the car crash, so even an incredible recovery would make a return to professional golf a tall task.
With all that said, Woods has always been one to laugh in the face of difficult odds on the golf course. The prospect of him returning to professional golf may have the same odds of finding the green from 220 yards out while he’s in the rough, sandwiched between two trees on a windy day at Pebble Beach. But if anyone is going to be able to defy the odds and roll that ball within a foot of the hole, it’s Tiger Woods. We’re hoping he’s got one more odds-defying moment left in him, and wish him the best in his recovery.