In 2025 Becker’s has reported on three professional athletes who had spine surgery so far.
1. Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke announced that he had spinal fusion after the team’s Jan. 12 playoff game with the Buffalo Bills. Chad Prusmack, MD, performed the surgery to address degenerated discs at L4 and L5, the report said.
2. Professional golfer Tiger Woods had a lumbar disc replacement. Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, performed the surgery in Mr. Woods’ L4/L5 spine on Oct. 10 at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery. The disc replacement was his second orthopedic surgery in 2025 and his 7th career spine surgery.
3. Robert Watkins, IV, MD, operated on Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince on Nov. 13. Mr. Prince had surgery for a herniated disc in his neck at the Watkins Spine Center in Los Angeles.
