What we know about Tiger Woods’ injuries one day after his car accident in California
One day after Tiger Woods’ car accident in Los Angeles, questions surround the well-being of the golf icon after he underwent several hours of emergency surgery to repair “significant orthopedic injuries” to his right leg and ankle.
In a statement posted to Woods’ Twitter account late Tuesday by the golfer’s representatives, Dr. Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer and interim CEO at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, said that Woods’ injuries were to his right “lower extremity” and there were “comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia.”
What is a “comminuted open fracture?”
Medical experts weighed in on Woods’ injuries and how they affect his future.
“This is all badness,” Dr. Robert Glatter, emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told USA Today Sports. “From an orthopedic standpoint, it’s an emergency. I think he’s quite fortunate to be alive. The fact he had only isolate orthopedic injuries, that we know of so far, is pretty remarkable.”
Comminuted means multiple fragments of the tibia and fibula shattered, and “open fractures” is another phrase for compound fractures, which means the bone protruded through the skin, ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell said, according to USA Today.
NBC News senior medical correspondent Dr. John Torres spoke to “The Today Show” about what doctors did to avoid amputation and how the injury will affect Woods’ future on the course. He also spoke out what Woods’ recovery process would look like, which includes months of rehab where he will essentially have to learn to walk again.
“He truly might not get back that mobility he had before, which could affect the way he plays,” Torres said.
Dr. Joseph Patterson, orthopedic trauma surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, noted that the risk of infection runs high for patients with open fractures.
“Tissue can be exposed to bacteria, dirt and clothing. The outcomes can be a lot worse if that tissue gets infected,” Patterson said to the Associated Press. He also noted that Woods’ injury is among the most common seen in hospital emergency rooms.
The celebrity world reacts
Celebrities around the globe took to social media to send their well wishes, including fellow golf icon Phil Mickelson, former president Barack Obama and NBA superstar Stephen Curry.
Golfer Jon Rahm commented on Woods accident from the Workday Championship in Florida, AP reported.
“As if his body hasn’t endured enough,” Rahm said. “I just hope he can get out of the hospital after recovery and he can still play with his kids and have a normal life.”
Woods recently took to the course over the weekend with former NBA star Dwyane Wade, who posted a video to his Instagram.
“It was a great day,” Wade said Tuesday night on Turner Sports, according to AP. “And I woke up today so proud to be able to post that moment for the world, like a little snippet of our moment together. And I took a nap, and I woke up to the news. So, you know, just like everybody out there, my thoughts and prayers are all to his loved ones.”
Another heartbreaking setback
The crash is another setback in the golf legend’s hopes of returning to the sport months after his fifth back surgery.
“I’m feeling fine, little bit stiff,” Woods told CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz on Sunday. “Have one more MRI scheduled to see if the annulus has scarred over finally, and then I can start doing more activities. Still in the gym, still doing the mundane stuff that you have to do for rehab, the little things before you can start gravitating toward something a little more.”
Woods was in Los Angeles hosting the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational while also giving golf lessons to celebrities for a TV special.
“He was filming his latest series with us yesterday, which will see him giving on-course instruction to a number of celebrities including Jada Pinkett Smith, Dwyane Wade and David Spade. He was due to continue filming with us today,” Golf Digest’s statement said, according to CNN.
The golf world witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in the sport’s history in April 2019 when Woods, after four back surgeries, won the Masters for the fifth time.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 8:24 AM with the headline "What we know about Tiger Woods’ injuries one day after his car accident in California."