Expect Tiger Woods to be back for the U.S. Open

By Thomas Bonk, Times Staff Writer

Five things to look for on the professional golf scene:

1We've seen the last of Tiger Woods for a while, but he probably hasn't seen the last of arthroscopic knee surgery.

"This is something that's a chronic issue for him," said Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic surgeon at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. "I don't know if you've seen the last of surgical issues with Tiger's knee."

ElAttrache, who is the orthopedic surgeon for the Dodgers, said the cartilage problem in Woods' knee is classically called "jumper's knee" and a common ailment for NBA players such as Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and Vince Carter. It's found in "jumping" sports and those involving torque and rotation.

Amateur golfers cannot equal the violent swing and torque of Woods and don't face the same issues, but they may overlook one other factor.

"It's fairly common that most people forget that they must walk approximately four miles per round . . . all on uneven terrain," said Johnny Benjamin, chief of orthopedic surgery at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fla.

The extent of the surgery Woods had has not been made public except for the fact that it was to correct cartilage damage. ElAttrache, who knows Woods' surgeon Thomas Rosenberg, said it probably involved joint surface cartilage under the kneecap and additional surgery may be needed.

"A little house-cleaning from time to time, arthroscopically, that's probably what you're talking about," said ElAttrache.

Because Woods is in such peak physical shape, his absence shouldn't be prolonged, ElAttrache said.

"He's in world-class athletic shape," he said. "He's got everything going for him."

Another expert agrees.

"Considering how well he was doing before the procedure, there's no reason to think there will be any lingering after-effects," said Ronald Grelsamer, a knee specialist in the Department of Orthopedics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

2So we know that Woods has been down this surgical road twice before on his left knee.

"It's a little unusual to have to go back three times," said Grelsamer. "You know, we all have our Achilles' tendon. This may be his. It's good to know he's human."

3Start working backward from the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, which begins the week of June 9, Woods has almost two months to get ready.