Tiger Woods Injury and Surgery

Tiger Woods originally injured his knee in 2007 -- not on the golf course, but while jogging near his home. At that time, he decided against surgery, electing to play through the injury and hope it would not be too bothersome. He went on to win a number of tournaments in 2007 and 2008, but all the time the injury was painful and getting worse.

Toward the end of the 2007 season, Woods opted to forgo additional matches and give his knee some time to heal. He played in the 2008 season, winning the first four matches he entered. He Went on to win the U.S. Open, still suffering with the knee pain, as well as a double stress fracture of his left tibia. After winning the U.S. Open, Woods announced that he was going to be out for the rest of the season, deciding he needed to have reconstructive surgery on his troublesome left knee. If he didn't have the surgery soon, it could jeopardize his future career.

Woods' injury is not an uncommon one. Basically, it is a tearing of the ligaments in the knee. It has become almost epidemic in its frequency lately. The ligaments help keep the knee stable, especially when you use a pivoting motion in your sport. The ligaments are rebuilt or replaced usually with other tissue from the patients body. Prognosis on this type of surgery is usually very good.

With sufficient time, physical therapy and exercise, Tiger Woods should be back in full swing for next season. The world of golf has taken a back page since Woods isn't playing. Perhaps they should showcase some other golfers. Woods is a truly magnificent, awesome golfer, and as long as he is on the scene, I doubt the golf world will look beyond him.