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Medical journal: Tiger's neck ailment a common byproduct of whiplash

May 13, 2010, 5:45 PM EDT

32 Comments

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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  1. Ed - May 13, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    The inflamed neck is an infected hickey.

  2. Gulgr - May 13, 2010 at 9:33 PM

    “Cheata” still can’t tell the truth! Sick psycho’s don’t live in reality. In my opinion, that’s what we’re lookin’ at in “Cheata!”
    Elin needs a better caddie. He/she would have suggested a “driver” instead of a 7-iron so as to finish the job right there and then.
    Nike is a crooked, sick, money hungry company with no moral “threads” to still support “Cheata.” I’ve made it a point to make sure I don’t purchase Nike anything!
    I’m glad Gatorade dropped him. I like Gatorade.

  3. Chris - May 13, 2010 at 9:35 PM

    Here we go with the juvenile comments from the kids again…

  4. GH-62739 - May 14, 2010 at 12:04 AM

    It’s not the result of his traffic accident. It was caused by Elin trying to shake some sense into him.

  5. Karen - May 14, 2010 at 1:16 AM

    The article states that whiplash shows up at the strangest times, usually before a plaintiff enters the court. Do you think that Tiger will go after Elin? We all know what she did which I have no problem with but the thought crossed my mind about him going after her for his career being impacted???

  6. robert konegen - May 14, 2010 at 1:52 AM

    Who cares? You reap what you sew.

  7. Sandie - May 14, 2010 at 2:10 AM

    KARMA!

  8. abigail - May 14, 2010 at 4:18 AM

    I think it is more of a collision with a 9 iron to the neck.

  9. Henry C. Brewster - May 14, 2010 at 5:01 AM

    Too many U-turns under the covers.

  10. rich - May 14, 2010 at 7:59 AM

    Karen – there is zero chance Tiger will go after Elin. Remember his first public confusion? He explicitly stated that Elin did not do anything. There is no way he would go after her now.

  11. Steve - May 14, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    Gulgr, I am sure Nike will do just fine without your pennies. People like you really amuse me. Did Tiger cheat on you? IS Elin your freind? How can you have such strong feelings towards people who don’t know you exist and wouldn’t give a buscket of piss for your future? You are so amusing., Reality chack, Tiger will return to greatness, Nike will continue to dominate the sports appearal world, and you will still be a nobody pecking away at your keyboard frolm the safety of your apartment. As an afterthought Tiger will proabably bone the entire Victoria’s Secret Mo=dels Lines up and forever have a life of golf, private jets, and fine women. WHat will you have? Your sstupid opinion and judgemental nature. You tell me, who ewins in the end?

  12. I am Spartacus - May 14, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    What Elin did? Last I checked, Elin did nothing but be his wife, bear his children and get publicly humiliated…she should have stuck with her first instincts and not gone out with him in the first place. DO NOT put this on her or you will be no better than than the strippers, porn stars, star chasers and pancake house waitresses who thought she was his “only” (other) love”.
    Plus, if Tiger went after her for “what she did” I believe that would be “career Kamikaze”…not going to happen…

  13. barb - May 14, 2010 at 9:08 AM

    You should learn to spell.

  14. ajl - May 14, 2010 at 9:15 AM

    Steve, I agree
    Everyone here is getting worked up about people who don’t give a d**n about any of us. I am sure Elin is no saint as the media portrays her to be. If she were that good Tiger would not have looked for love somewhere else. I say they all deserve what they get including Nike.

  15. sucka - May 14, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    Steve,
    How does Tiger taste? Are you so hung up on Tiger and money, you forgot how to spell. Also, don’t put down other people when you are obviously pecking away at the keyboard too. Idiot.

  16. Harleyboy15 - May 14, 2010 at 9:22 AM

    Kinda tough for him to be able to prove Elin did anything to him….especially after he told the cops, and the world that she has never, ever hit him. What’s he gonna say? “Uhh, I lied about her hitting me, now I want her arrested for assult”? Never gonna fly. Even the cops, and any half wit judge would just laugh at him.

  17. oswegosteve - May 14, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    Two words: Who cares?

  18. doesmtnamematter? - May 14, 2010 at 10:06 AM

    Not to mention filing a false police report and obstruction of justice… if he tried to go after her he’d be admitting to a minimum of two misdemeanors (more serious instances of either are considered felonies).

  19. Stewy - May 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    Tiger & Jesse: Was it worth it??

  20. Linder - May 14, 2010 at 10:43 AM

    Maybe before you criticize someone else, you should learn how to type.

  21. doesmynamereallymatter? - May 14, 2010 at 10:53 AM

    Steve,
    Is that how you judge people’s worth? By how much money and fame they have instead of the content of their character? If your ignorance wasn’t sufficiently made manifest by your spelling and grammar, your sentiments make it abundantly clear. People like YOU really crack ME up, or at least you would if you weren’t so dangerous.

  22. areyoukiddingme? - May 14, 2010 at 10:57 AM

    Riiiiiiight… because NO guy has EVER cheated on his wife if she was loving and devoted. Why don’t you wake up and smell what you’re shoveling?!

  23. JEG - May 14, 2010 at 11:02 AM

    As usual Steve, you are an idiot. You see, what makes all sports great is the passion that it brings to us fans. Rally hats, sports bars, tailgating etc, etc. So when a team or individual wins we cheer, and when one loses, we cry and when one disapoints, we boo. So, at the end of the day, Tiger is still rich, but his legacy is tarnished. And for you, a nobody who picks away at your computer from the safety of your apartment with morals so low, you have become the President of Tiger’s Idiot Fan Club. Your mother must be so proud.

  24. Bruce - May 14, 2010 at 11:43 AM

    Facet neck joint pain can also be caused by rubbernecking, not just whiplash.

  25. Hayez - May 14, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    Not a chance, If he tried to blame this on her after what he did, Nobody would be on his side. LOL.

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