PGA Favorite Out for the Season with Back Problems
Golfer – Will Zalatoris says he’s out for the summer after re-injuring his back. In a statement, Zalatoris explained he started feeling “discomfort” and “instability” in the back – and it got worse over time. An MRI showed he re-herniated two discs and underwent back surgery.
The former PGA Rookie of the Year previously injured his back in 2022 and pulled out of the FedEx Cup playoffs. He had a microdiscectomy in 2023 and didn’t play again until 2024. Back injuries are common on the golf course. The swing of the club can put pressure on the back and cause issues like disc herniations and degenerative problems.
Zalatoris is not the first high profile golfer who has struggled with back problems. Tiger Woods’ infamous struggle with chronic pain included several back surgeries as well. We have discussed his case in a previous blog post that you can read here.
Our spine specialists have compiled a list of tips to help golfers prevent back pain.
Overall, the long-term prognosis of some back surgeries can be very good. Woods went on to win the Masters after his major surgery. Zalatoris says he is “excited” about his “long-term” back health as well.
Zalatoris hasn’t given the specific kind of back surgery he had, so it is hard for us to determine what his recovery would look like. At AVALA Spine, our physicians offer the least invasive procedures to treat symptoms like this – with procedures like microdiscectomies, laminectomies, and lumbar (low back) fusions.
If you are struggling with chronic low back pain, we are happy to review your case and help design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. You can make an appointment by calling us at 985.400.5778 or by filling out our appointment request form.
