Tiger Woods leaves Doral with leg injury

March 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Partway through his final round on March 11, 2012, Tiger Woods withdrew from the WGC Cadillac Championship at Doral.  Woods, who has had four surgeries on his left knee, pulled out citing an injury to his left leg.  He later indicated that the issue was with his left Achilles.  

Last May, Woods was forced to withdraw after nine holes from The Players in Ponte Vedra Beach and had to miss three months of the season to allow that same leg to heal.  He had reconstructive surgery on the knee after winning the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines — his last major victory — and didn’t return to golf for almost nine months.

In an effort to help his leg heal faster, Woods received injections of platelet-rich plasma or PRP, which he did credit for helping.  

Unfortunately, a scandal ensued because a Canadian physician, Dr. Anthony Galea, performed the platelet-rich plasma injection in Tiger’s home.  PRP is a legal procedure in the United States, but Dr. Galea did not possess a Florida medical license.  

Compounding matters, Dr. Galea was arrested at the US-Canadian border crossing with anabolic steroids and growth hormone, which he claimed was his personal use.  The FBI charged him with trafficking and investigated numerous athletes that he has treated in the United States, including Alex Rodriguez and Tiger.  Tiger admitted no wrongdoing, however, was interviewed for 2 hours by the FBI.


Platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy are two regenerative medicine therapies that more and more athletes are turning to to speed healing and return to the field faster.  But professional athletes are not the only ones wanting to get back to playing more quickly – everyday citizens have the same desire.

Regenerative medicine therapies such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy harness and focus the body’s own ability to heal itself.  

Dennis Lox, M.D., a sports, physical and regenerative medicine specialist in the Tampa Bay area, notes that athletic circles are interested in applicable medical technology breakthroughs and greet them with great fascination.

Dr. Lox notes that, “there has been great interest in platelet-rich plasma in professional athletes from a variety of sports disciplines, including top-caliber athletes.  Incorporating platelet-rich plasma with stem cell therapy is a natural progression.”

http://www.Drlox.com

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Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Since 1990, he has used sports medicine techiques and cutting-edge technology to help heal musculoskeletal injuries and relieve pain.