Tiger Woods recovering after surgery
Tiger Woods is “awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room” after surgery on “significant” right leg injuries following a car crash which could have cost him his life.
But leading sport surgeon Professor Bill Ribbans warned that the 15-times major winner is at the “beginning of a long road” to recovery following the accident which happened on Tuesday.
A statement from Woods' official Twitter account yesterday said :“We thank everyonefor the overwhelming support and messages during this tough time.
“Tiger was involved in a single-car accident early this morning in California. He has undergone a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle after being brought to the hospital.
“He is currently awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room.”
Woods, 45, had an operation where open fractures to his tibia and fibula and injuries to his foot and ankle were stabilised with the insertion of a rod, screws and pins.
Woods survived "what would otherwise have been a fatal crash” because the interior of his vehicle remained largely intact, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
"We're looking at signs of [being] under the influence of either narcotics, medication, alcohol, odour of alcohol, all these different things that would give you an idea but there was none present,” Villanueva added.
There is speculation his golfing career is in jeopardy, but Prof Ribbans has first-hand experience of how swift elite sportspeople can heal after operating on seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher in July 1999.
Schumacher returned 14 weeks after a 130mph crash left him with a broken tibia and fibula, although Prof Ribbans admitted Woods' injuries seem to be more severe, while pointing out the American's previous medical history – he has had five major back and three knee operations – and his age means he faces a battle to make a competitive return.
Prof Ribbans said: “I didn't think Michael had any chance of driving again that summer. I was obviously delighted but astonished at how well he did.
“Elite sportspeople, because of the psyche and the support they have around them, tend to do very well. There were certain issues with trying to get back into a Formula One ca.
“But that's obviously totally different from having to play 72 holes over four days, and walking miles and miles and miles. Then having to do all the practice in advance.”
Woods was “conscious and able to communicate” with emergency personnel at the scene and was taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Centre.
Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer at the hospital said: "Mr Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity.
"Comm in ute do pen fractures affecting the upper and lower of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilised with a combination of screws and pins.”