So here are the ?s and some answers about Tiger and his injuries. First of all, Tiger and his handlers are notoriously secretive so we will likely not get full information. That is always a patient’s prerogative, and with HIPAA, treating MDs cannot reveal details. 1/n
Tiger had a “rod” placed into his tibia for tibia fracture(s) – this is what we usually call in orthopaedics an IM nail = intramedullary nail. It runs down the middle of the tibia (or other long bones) and stabilizes the fracture while it is healing. 2/n
His fracture was said to be comminuted. Comminuted is a fracture classification, as opposed to simple. Simple fracture = breaks into 2 parts only; comminuted fracture = breaks into more than 2 parts – could be parts, could be 100 3/n
Now one of these tibia fractures was an open fracture so there is an increased risk of infection with that and with placing the nail. But that risk is still fairly small, and that procedure is done frequently even with an open fracture. 4/n
Tiger also had fractures in the ankle and foot – treated with screws and pins. These could be more concerning than the tibia fractures, especially if the ankle fractures are directly involving the ankle joint – technically the talocrural joint 5/n
If they do involve the intra-articular portion of the ankle joint, this could lead to arthritis down the road in the ankle joint and make walking and playing golf more difficult. Even with optimal treatment this is possible. 6/n
One good thing is this involves Tiger’s right leg and ankle. The right ankle is not under the same severe stresses that occur in the left ankle in the downswing, impact, and follow-thru. 7/n
Tiger also had release of some “sheaths surrounding muscles.” This is a compartment release. All muscle groups in the lower leg and thigh are surrounded by a fibrous sheath of connective tissue. What they surround is called the compartment. 7a/n
You have 4 major compartments in your lower leg. In a severe injury bones will bleed and there will be swelling and this can put pressure on nerves, muscles, and arteries in the compartment. If this occurs, it is called a compartment syndrome. 8/n
A compartment syndrome is one of the few, true orthopaedic emergencies. That pressure on the nerves, muscles, and arteries needs to be released within the first few hours or irreversible muscle and tissue damage can occur. 9/n
In a worst-case scenario with compartment syndrome, you can lose your leg (or arm if it occurs in the upper extremity). So treatment is to open up the sheaths surrounding the compartments to release pressure within the compartment. 10/n
Tiger had this done but it does not mean he had a compartment syndrome. It is common in severe tibia fractures to release the compartments prophylactically so you don’t develop a compartment syndrome. I suspect this was the case. 11/n
Can Tiger play golf again when he recovers? Assuming his leg heals fully, the answer is yes. Infection is a concern, and development of arthritis at the ankle is a longer-term concern but if the wind is fair, he will play golf again. 12/n
How long will it take him to recover from these injuries? Fractures heal fairly well within about 6 weeks. In the lower extremity, however, they are under more stress and it usually takes about 3 months to be able to safely bear full weight in the injured leg. 13/n
What will his rehab be like? Almost impossible to say without seeing x-rays and the exact fracture and injury itself. The orthopaedists will determine this based on the degree of the injury. 14/n
However, the goal is to stabilize the fracture sufficiently so that the patient can be mobilized – get out of bed, start walking, start living life again. 15/n
Will he have a brace or a cast? The tibia fracture probably does not require this but the ankle/foot fractures may require him to have a brace, cast, or a splint – at least in the early post-op period. 16/n
Can Tiger play golf again and if so, how long? From these injuries I suspect the answer yes, he can play golf again. But I think the rate-limiting factor in his recovery is still his back. Golf places a lot of stress on the back. 17/n
One back surgery is difficult to recover from for a pro golfer. Five back surgeries? Each one makes recovery more difficult. I still think that will be more difficult for him to recover from. 18/n
How long? Major injuries take a long time to recover. Fractures may heal in 3 months, but the soft tissues will atrophy and have to be rehabbed. I always told patients it takes at least a year to recover from major injuries. 19/n
The best thing Tiger has going for him is his physical condition (which has always been superb) and his youth. He is old for a pro golfer, but orthopaedically still relatively young. 20/end for now
To clarify a typo, it was supposed to read comminuted fracture = breaks into more than 2 parts - could be 3 parts, could be 100
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
