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Tiger Woods withdrew from the Farmer’s Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California due to back spasms. Woods underwent a microdiskectomy last year for a herniated disk and has been struggling with his back, and his golf game, since the surgery. As a result, Woods requires an extensive pre-round stretching routine. Unfortunately, a two-hour fog delay allowed for his lumbar spine to tighten-up leading to significant low back spasms. “It’s just my glutes…

With NFL training camp a week away, Jermichael Finley and David Wilson, who both suffered serious spinal injuries last season, are two players looking to get back on the field. Both are recovering from anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion surgery (ACDF). Peyton Manning underwent this surgery and was cleared for return to play. However, specific criteria must be met prior to resuming contact sports. A recent article in the journal Neurosurgery demonstrated athletes are safe…

On March 31, 2014, Tiger Woods underwent a microdiscectomy for a herniated disc in his lumbar spine, effectively ending his golf season for three months. A microdiscectomy is the ‘gold standard’ procedure for eliminating a herniated disk.  The success rate of the surgery is between 95-98%.  The surgery creates a small incision in the back, with minimal tissue or muscle destruction.  Sometimes a small amount of bone is removed to facilitate the removal of disk. …

Tiger Woods withdrew from the Honda Classic this weekend due to severe back spasms.  Woods was clearly in pain, dropping to his knees after a shot on the 13th hole.  His decision to withdraw was appropriate and medically prudent. Back spasms are painful and debilitating injuries that can take up to 6 weeks to resolve.  Luckily, they NEVER require surgery.   They do require considerable rest and non-operative treatment including non-anabolic steroids, stretching and physical therapy….

Why did Peyton Manning need another physical?  The answer:  to rule out further deterioration of his neck.  Manning underwent a cervical fusion for a herniated disk in 2011.  He obviously did well this season, securing another MVP award.  However, there is concern the disks above and below the fusion will deteriorate. This is called adjacent segment degeneration.  It is a documented side effect of an anterior cervical fusion.  The degeneration occurs in approximately 3% of…