A foot and ankle surgeon and consultant says that there is no reason why Tiger Woods can’t make it to the top of the game again and that people writing his career off have “no clue” following his latest surgery.
Woods underwent a subtalar fusion surgery on his right ankle to alleviate the arthritic pain experienced following his car crash in April 2021. Woods was seen limping at Augusta National recently before withdrawing from The Masters before restarting his third round.
The fusion surgery he had has essentially turned two bones and a joint below his ankle into one bigger bone, meaning he will be slightly restricted in the movement below his right ankle but crucially pain-free.
The 15-time Major winner’s surgery will likely take three months to heal, meaning he will miss the remaining three Majors this year, but he should be able to walk pain-free and continue playing golf later this year.
We spoke to foot and ankle surgeon and consultant Nima Heidari (opens in new tab), who specialises in foot, ankle and limb reconstruction and has been in the industry for more than two decades, to give us the full lowdown on Woods’ surgery, his injuries and what is next for the American.
Heidari says that Woods’ injuries and surgeries are “exactly the kind of stuff that I deal with as a matter of routine” and that subtalor fusion should ensure he can walk and play golf pain-free once it has healed.
“The thing is one of the reasons why he’s finding it difficult to get around the golf course, to sleep, to do things because he’s got pain in his foot,” he said. “So, what you do is that you sacrifice the small amount of movement that he may have in this joint for loss of pain.
Woods withdrew ahead of the completion of the third round on the final day of the 2023 Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“And in fact if he has got a reduction in his pain, that could only mean good things for his play. Now, having had the operation and being out and so on, of course, he’s going to need a period of rehabilitation. But I mean, to be honest with you, if anyone is going to make a comeback it’s going to be Tiger Woods, this man is incredible.
“There’s two things about him which are incredible. One of them is him. And there’s no substitute for his hunger and his desire to be the best and to continue to be the best and to win. But also he’s surrounded himself with an incredible team that will facilitate that desire in him.”
Heidari thinks that Woods’ surgery will be positive for him and can…
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