Why Tiger Woods' Masters Return Is A Testament To Modern Medicine
Watching Tiger Woods at the Masters Tournament has been quite the inspiration as not too long ago, this professional golfer was seriously injured. Early in 2021, Woods was injured in a brutal car crash. According to Golf Digest, the vehicle crashed into a tree, and Woods suffered serious leg injuries to his fibula and tibia bones. Many speculated whether he'd be able to return to the Masters after these leg injuries, but Woods impressed us all.
"He had a very, very severe injury to that right lower high extremity, multiple surgeries, very tough rehab. This just goes to show his will and determination to kind of rehab from such a terrible injury. Just looking at him play yesterday [Thursday], I was thoroughly impressed," Dr. Kirk Campbell, orthopedic surgeon and sports health expert at NYU Langone Health, shared with People. Dr. Campbell elaborates that for Woods to be able to play at the Masters with the best, only 14 months out from his injury, is a major feat for modern medicine.
Here's a sneak peak at Woods' recovery
Receiving any type of surgery is a big deal. According to Verywell Health, surgery often leads to complications (minor or major) such as pain, nausea, vomiting, blot clots, fatigue, confusion, scarring, and much more. However, many minor complications resolve within days, whereas more complex complications may take time. This took on a whole new meaning for Tiger Woods because after his initial surgery on his fibula and tibia bones, he was unsure if he needed additional surgery (per Golf Digest).
Woods is no "newbie" when it comes to long-term recoveries, as this would mark Woods' fifth surgery. "I understand more of the rehab processes because of my past injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced," Woods shared (via Golf Digest).
Gaining full mobility of his right leg has been Woods' focus. Every day, Woods had a strict physical therapy routine to really target this rehabilitation process. On top of the treatments Woods received, he also shared that icing and ice baths – "basically freezing [himself] to death" — helped with swelling and aided his recovery, per Fox News. The abundance of support from Woods' community also helped him throughout his recovery, according to Golf Digest.