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The sports world was shaken to its core Tuesday morning when news broke that Tiger Woods was involved in a single-car accident in Los Angeles. Woods flipped his car off the road and had to be extricated from the vehicle by the ‘jaws of life.’

Thankfully, Woods survived the crash and underwent successful surgery on his multiple leg injuries at a nearby hospital. The golf legend’s road to recovery won’t be an easy one, but famed TV physician, Dr. Oz, believes Woods will make a “full recovery” in as soon as a year.

Tiger Woods suffered extensive leg injuries from frightening car accident

After the news broke that Tiger Woods was injured in a single-car accident Tuesday morning, golf fans around the world feared for his life. The widespread panic worsened when images of Woods’ vehicle, which was wrecked and flipped on its side, appeared on news stations nationwide.

A few hours later, the LA County Sheriff’s Department announced that Woods’ injuries weren’t life-threatening, sending a wave of relief across the entire sports world. But although the injuries didn’t take Woods’ life, they were extensive enough to require major emergency surgery.

Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer and interim chief executive of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (where Woods was taken following the crash), explained the injuries in detail on Wednesday.

“Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery,” Mahajan said in a statement posted to Woods’ official Twitter account. “Commuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilized with a combination of screws and pins.”

Translation: Woods shattered his ankle and suffered multiple fractures to his right leg. The biggest issue Woods faces now is the high risk of infection associated with commuted open fractures.

Tiger Woods receives an uplifting diagnosis from Dr. Oz

Mehmet Oz, who’s more commonly known simply as Dr. Oz, is a popular television personality and host of The Dr. Oz Show. Oz spoke to TMZ about Woods’ injuries and his potential recovery timeline, and he painted an uplifting picture for the 45-year-old golfer.

“Let’s be clear about this, he’s had a bunch of surgeries and bounced back when no one thought he could,” Oz told TMZ. “He had the luck of having his accident near a major trauma center with expertise in this area. I know teams that were trained there so I have great confidence in the fact that they manage this correctly. Despite the complicating factors of a comminuted fracture, which means it was broken in multiple spots, an open fracture, which means there was a cut in the skin that either the bone protruded through or was close, and the fact that it probably crossed the joint to affect his ankles, so his ability to flex may be altered, he still has the most important component to recovery which is mental resilience.

“This man can do what no one else can do so with the strength of his mind I do think he’ll be back and I think he’ll come back to full speed.”

Dr. Oz believes Tiger Woods will fully recover in one year

Many thought Tiger Woods wouldn’t ever be able to swing a golf club again after hearing of the injuries he sustained, but Dr. Oz is hopeful he can fully recover in a year.

“Medically speaking, I think it’s at least six months until his bone is recovered to the original form. Then the muscles will atrophy around it,” Oz said. “Give him a year. Allow him to recover from the emotional, physical trauma of this procedure. I’ll bet on Tiger Woods every time.

“Thank goodness he didn’t have major internal injuries or head injuries which speaks to the power of a seatbelt. So as a lucky man, right time right place in some ways, I do think he’ll make a full recovery.”

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