One week after a serious auto accident, Tiger Woods faces a long, arduous and perhaps uncertain recovery and rehabilitation process.
Whether Woods can return to golf eventually remains an open-ended question while he, his doctors and therapists deal with the severe injuries to his right leg and foot.
Other than an initial report, there has been little specific information about Woods’ overall condition as he recovers from multiple fractures in his right tibia and fibula as well as serious damage to his right foot.
After being admitted to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center following the accident, Woods was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Friday.
Doctors inserted a rod in the lower part of his right leg as well as screws in his ankle to stabilize the injuries.
Due to severe swelling, doctors also performed a procedure to reduce pressure that, if untreated, could destroy the muscles and nerves in his leg.
“That’s a big thing to overcome,†said Dr. Justin Kauk, an orthopedic trauma surgeon for Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It usually results in multiple surgeries and sometimes skin grafting.â€
Without knowing the specifics of Woods’ injuries, Kauk said they are consistent with high-impact auto accidents. There are similarities to the injury that nearly ended the career of National Football League quarterback Alex Smith.
Ultimately Smith’s recovery was complicated by infection, which led doctors to consider amputation at one point. Smith overcame the injury and infection and returned to the NFL last fall after being away for nearly two years.
“There is a higher rate of infection any time you have something like this,†Kauk said.
For Woods, getting healthy again will be a long process. Fractures, Kauk said, typically take six to 12 weeks to heal. Once that is accomplished, range of motion and straightening the leg will become the focus.
From there, if things go well, Woods would progress to putting weight on his leg.
The extent of damage to his ankle is another concern. It’s possible Woods could lose mobility in his ankle as a result of the accident.
“This is one of the more challenging things because a person can develop bad arthritis in the joint,†Kauk said. “That can lead to stiffness and a limp.â€
Woods has shown throughout his career a willingness and ability to work through pain and injuries. The accident occurred during his recovery period after a fifth back operation in December.
“He has a lot of drive and motivation to do what he does,†Kauk said. “That same motivation to excel will help him.â€
Ron Green Jr.
