Dustin Johnson Knee Injury: Surgery Details and Cause for Discomfort

There are just ten odd days to go until the 2021 PGA Championship. Dustin Johnson is a strong favorite at the major, but he created a cause for concern by pulling out of the preceding AT&T Byron Nelson citing a knee injury. What’s wrong with Johnson’s knee and since when has it been troubling him? 

It is indeed disappointing that Dustin Johnson will not compete at the AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch. Fans were expecting the World No. 1 to grace the field, but he made a late announcement on Monday. Here’s what Johnson conveyed through his official statement:

“Unfortunately, the knee discomfort I occasionally experience has returned and after consultation with my team and trainers, I feel it is best that I remain at home and focus on my rehabilitation work,” Johnson mentioned via the PGA Tour. 

“I am not pleased about this situation, as I was really looking forward to playing this week. I have several friends in the Dallas area, many of whom I have met through their involvement with the tournament, so I hate to let them down … I am truly sorry I won’t be there with you,” he added. 

It should be noted that Johnson mentioned that he occasionally experiences knee discomfort. It all started when the golfer had to get a procedure done on his left knee. 

When did Dustin Johnson get his knee procedure done? 

A knee surgery always poses the danger of altering the physical structure of the body. For some, their game will never be the same after a procedure, but Dustin Johnson has managed to stay at the top even after his left knee procedure in 2019. 

As per PGATour.com, Johnson underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage on September 5, 2019. The surgery took place at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. George Caldwell. 

Johnson’s representatives later stated that it was a routine procedure and similar to the one he had done on his right knee in 2011. However, the surgery on his left knee in 2019 sidelined him for several months, and the discomfort still exists to this day. 

Dustin Johnson withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson citing knee discomfort, and the problem is with the repaired cartilage damage on his left knee. This is indeed concerning, as the 2021 PGA Championship will begin in 10 days’ time. 

Johnson has had to adapt or develop other intricacies in his game after the knee procedure in 2019. It has made him lose some grip on the power aspect, but the 36-year-old is determined to keep breaking records on the tour.

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