Medical journal: Tiger's neck ailment a common byproduct of whiplash
May 13, 2010, 5:45 PM EST
So as you may know, Tiger Woods announced on his blog on Wednesday that an MRI determined he has inflammation in the facet joint of his neck. He said that the injury was in no way related to the SUV vs. fire hydrant vs. tree smashup in which he was involved on Thanksgiving night, and that treatment will involve anti-inflammatory medicine and soft-tissue massage (uh oh).
But more than one golf writer, and many doctors, presumably, are calling shenanigans on Tiger’s self diagnosis. According to an article in today’s Orlando Sentinel, medical journals state that “facet-joint pain is a common byproduct of whiplash.” And I’ve seen enough personal injury attorney TV ads to know that whiplash can appear at the strangest of times, often months after the initial accident, and usually just before the plaintiff appears in court.
It is known that Woods complained of a busted lip and “a pretty sore neck” after his SUV-capade in front of his Windemere home on Nov. 27, which prompted a trip to the hospital.
From Jeff Shain’s golf blog at the Orlando Sentinel:
Did an Internet search on facet joints to get a better understanding of what the MRI on Tiger Woods’ neck shows. Turns out several medical pages state an inflamed facet joint is a common byproduct of whiplash.
Actually, it’s the most common byproduct of whiplash.
From a 2007 article in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
“The cervical facet joint is the most common source of chronic neck pain after whiplash injury.”
Many a whiplash victim also will tell you that the damage sometimes doesn’t manifest itself until a physical activity that puts strain on the back or neck — things like lifting boxes or pulling weeds.
Or hitting golf balls?
That’s why Woods’ strong response saying there was “zero connection” between his neck pain and the Nov. 27 SUV wreck that began his personal purgatory was curious.
Meanwhile, speaking of recurring injury from that accident, TMZ is reporting today that Elin Nordegren began consulting divorce attorneys less than a month and a half after Tiger’s car accident, in which she may or may not have took some whacks at his noggin with a golf club.
In an email to his staff dated January 12, 2010, attorney Earl White Jr., who practices in London, wrote, “I am writing to advise you that we have been asked by Ms. Nordegren to assist her in better understanding her legal circumstances. The firm has assigned a dedicated team to work closely and confidentially with Elin and Josefin in order to fulfill this mandate.”
In the words, as soon as the mistress count appeared to approach double digits, Elin started packing her golden parachute. By now this thing is as well-planned as the D-Day invasion.
***
Inflamed facet joint? How about ‘whiplash’? [Orlando Sentinel]
Tiger Woods’ neck pain caused by inflamed joint, common byproduct of whiplash [Orlando Sentinel]
Tiger’s Wife Hired Lawyer Months Ago [TMZ]
Tiger’s MRI Shows Inflamed Neck Joint [Waggle Room]
Full recovery expected for Tiger after MRI [Tiger Woods Blog]
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- Jerry - May 14, 2010 at 12:46 PM
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Seems to me, he’s just pulling a John Daly, everything is getting the better of him, rather he is letting it all get the better of him and he simply walked off the course. Use whatever excuse you want but we have all seen him and other greats out there stick it out to finish. If he doesn’t get a handle on his life then early retirement is certainly a good option. The man certainly isn’t hurting financially. Besides I’m tired of hearing about him anyways, I’d rather see Mickelson has his day now.
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- Don - May 14, 2010 at 2:09 PM
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Barb — it’s pretty clear from what he wrote that he’s not capable of learning to spell, so don’t get your hopes up. But while we’re making suggestions for Steve, buying a moral compass would be another good idea. Woods betrayed not only his wife, but his two small children, who will now have their family blown up as a result of his sleeping with anything that would hold still long enough, including his neighbor’s daughter. These kids will hear some pretty rough stuff from other children at school and will generally live a life of trying to understand why their father did what he did. Pretty reprehensible, when you think about it, which Steve obviously didn’t, or maybe couldn’t.
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- Rick Chandler - May 14, 2010 at 2:51 PM
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+1.
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- ED - May 14, 2010 at 3:19 PM
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A prowling Tigers life is to hide in the Jungle and come out at night.
it seems like Tiger does his best work at night off the golf course!
There was golf before Ben Hogan and after ben Hogan same with Tiger!
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- flash harry - May 14, 2010 at 3:34 PM
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Mickelson is a great golfer whose achievements on the golf course is nothing to scoff at, however, I believe he has passed his prime. He will certainly win many more tournaments but he will never be able to surpass Tiger Woods in tournament wins. I think we will be blessed with a lot more great games between these two great golfers in the years to come. As for Tigers current personal problems all I can say is this too shall pass. Fellow bloggers we are all entitled to our opinions but sometimes we should let our good angels fly. This great country was not built on hatred for our fellow citizens. Lets try and show a little respect for each other.
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- GeeDeeJay - May 14, 2010 at 3:48 PM
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The last time I checkef what it meant to be a great athlete and a role model for others was to suck it up and play the game out, not to walk off the course because…oh, my little neck hurts, oh, I can’t swing the cliub, oh, i am so sore, oh, i think I’ll quit and walk off…unless your neck is broken and you are going to be paralyzed from the neck down, you stay on that course and golf your a** off and heal when the game is over, I can’t stand Tiger anymore, He is a loser and I hope his neck never heals and he has to quit golf…I say, never ever ever give up…He did…walks off the course…Hmmmpf. piece of crap
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- Smerlap - May 14, 2010 at 5:59 PM
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I suspect he was told by his doctor the two were not related. Tiger is not on a team, does not represent a city, I don’t remember him ever being elected to anything promising to be a good person or even a role model. Anyone who looks up to another human being as being without flaws is frankly naive as heck. We are all flawed, sinful and corrupt, all of us.
Tiger had a very sore neck. Having had this injury it took me months to be able to turn my head at all without screaming in pain.
He left a Golf tournament. Not the scene of an accident.
Get over it.
