Last March, Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas (MINSTX.com) published a series of articles that explored behind-the-scenes the case of a top-rated golfer; how he got back pain, what he did to relieve it, and how minimally invasive spine surgery procedures allowed him to get back in the game.
The professional golfer had been on top of his game a decade prior to his symptoms, but because of declining spine health, he was not able to join the most recent tournaments. The pro player thus missed the Masters 2016 and 2017 tournaments, over 20 years since he first joined the competition.
The athlete was known for his flawless and intimidating plays in the field, and his aggressive maneuvers changed the golfing scene in the early 2000s to what we know of it today.
On March 31, 2014, the world-renowned golf player underwent his first back surgery for a pinched nerve. Despite having endured several knee and leg problems, his back problem had to be addressed promptly to allow him to participate in other golfing tournaments in the season.
Despite getting world-class treatment, the golfer was still not able to perform well. He had to undergo two more spine surgery procedures the next year, including a microdiscectomy to remove a disc fragment that was pinching his never.
With regards to the back pain sports players experience during a season, Eric Owens of Delos Therapy wrote, “In the short game, when very small muscle groups are needed for fine motor control, those particular tight muscle fibers will be unavailable for use, so control will be lacking. There is no amount of practice that can overcome this, as more practice without addressing the tightness will just perpetuate the cycle. In addition, continued tightening of muscle fibers eventually leads to pain and dysfunction, resulting in conditions such as golfer’s elbow, low back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, and others. The most devastating scenario for a golfer is having to finish the season early or take a break during prime summer days because the pain is unbearable or the muscles too stiff to achieve optimal results. “
MINSTX.com then proceeds to examine the “winning lottery” back surgery that the golfing superstar underwent that allowed him to dominate the 2019 Masters Tournament.
The back surgery procedure was called ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion), and it allowed the surgeon to access the spine from the abdomen, allowing for better fusion. Because the procedure does not damage major back muscles, which are areas of the body professional golfers always use, it allowed for faster recovery and better success rates.
The article Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas published then concludes that Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery procedures have better success rates for people with active lifestyles.
The company plans to continue publishing more intriguing articles about successful minimally invasive spine surgery experiences. For more info about the clinic and their services, visit MINT’s blog.
Disclaimer
The news site hosting this press release is not associated with Dr. Kutz at Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas. It is merely publishing a press release announcement submitted by a company, without any stated or implied endorsement of the doctor, product or service. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult with your physician.
About Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas
MINT focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal and cranial disorders. We specialize in treating patients with degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal tumors, as well as other spinal disorders. Our head neurosurgeon, Dr. Kutz, has a special interest in minimally invasive surgical procedures, artificial disc replacement, spinal cord stimulation and neuromodulation, and the treatment of thoracic disorders, spine tumors, complex revision, and sacroiliac joint disorders. At MINT, we use the most innovative surgical techniques to help patients get back to life.
