Tiger Woods cut short his time on the fairway on Sunday, August 3 after the golf legend re-injured his back at the World Golf Championships (WGC)-Bridgestone Invitational. Having undergone a lumbar microdiscectomy for a pinched nerve in March of this year, this was the third tournament in which he’s competed since that surgery -- and it didn’t exactly go as planned. The unraveling began at the second hole, when Woods hit a shot from an awkward stance and fell backward, landing on his right leg. He continued playing, only to officially withdraw from the tournament at the ninth hole.
After days of speculation about his injury, Woods finally came forward at a press conference and said that it wasn’t related to his recent surgery. The awkward hit at the second hole threw out his sacrum, a triangular bone at the bottom of the spine. As a result, he began to experience muscle spasms that hindered his game and forced him to withdraw.
Re-injuring your spine after surgery is always a possibility, but there are simple steps you can take to prevent further damage from occurring. While you might not have the benefit of an on-site physiotherapist as Woods does, with a little guidance from our specialists at the Spine Health Institute, you can protect and strengthen your spine by doing the following:
Practice proper body mechanics and take preventative measures to ensure your spine’s safety while at home and at work. It’s important to know the proper ways to lift, maneuver and stand for long periods of time without injuring your spine – especially after surgery. By taking the necessary precautions, you can help your spine heal faster and possibly prevent complications during recovery.
Implement what you learned in physical therapy. Our therapists are here to help you regain your movement and strengthen your body. Whether you were prescribed physical therapy, occupational therapy or a combination of the two, it is important to understand that you didn’t just learn a skill for that particular moment – you learned something that you can use for the rest of your life.
Always ask questions! If you are unsure of how to perform certain maneuvers or wonder if you are able to partake in physical activities, ask your physician or therapist. There are many simple modifications that will allow you to continue participating in the activities you enjoy without injuring your back. If golf is your passion, our Golf Fore Life program can help you discover your perfect golf stance and swing, and teach you how to protect your spine on and off the green. Be sure to bring any concerns you have to your physician and therapist, because their top priority is to help you get back on your feet quickly and safely.
As fans know, Tiger Woods was able to get control of his back spasms in time for the PGA Championship, and he will certainly have his physiotherapist by his side just in case another injury occurs going forward. So take a lesson from the legend, and listen to your body. Only you have the power to improve your health and wellbeing by erasing bad habits from your daily routine and proactively avoiding injuries in the long run.
For more information about our Golf Fore Life program, call
Call407-303-3451. If you recently suffered a back injury and you are experiencing pain, call Dr. Patel at the Spine Health Institute.
