Tim McGraw has finally opened up about his health issues, including multiple surgeries, and how it has impacted his singing career.
Tim McGraw Underwent Multiple Surgeries
The country music superstar appeared on “TL’s Road House” podcast in May 2025, where he revealed that he endured some physical injuries that put his performing on pause for a year.
“To have almost a year of just sitting there [doing nothing], and I can tell you that after double knee replacements and three back surgeries and now a torn rotator cuff and a ruptured disc, there were times this year that I thought this might be it. This might be time to hang it up,” Tim shared.
He explained that taking time to recover after the surgeries had a huge impact on his ability to continue to take the stage and perform out on the road. He still works out, but has had to change his workout routine a lot.
“I have to be very careful about what I do. What I do do is everything is intentional,” he shared. “I can’t move quickly, there’s no turning real quick to do something. Everything has to be very intentional; everything that I do has to be very methodical. I have to do cold plunges, I have to do infrared saunas. I have to do massages.”
In particular, Tim said, “It has changed the way I do a live show.”
The “My Best Friend” singer said, “It’s gonna come to a point to where I’m either gonna have to decide to change the way I do a live show to continue to do it or just not do it anymore.”
He previously explained that past foot injuries have prevented him from running, which he used to do before every show.
“I can’t run anymore because I’ve broken my foot so many times. I start every day with an hour walk,” Tim told Entertainment Tonight Canada in August 2023.
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw Has Support From Wife Faith Hill and Famous Friends
Amid his back surgeries, an insider told Closer that Tim was receiving support from his wife, Faith Hill, and his famous friends, who were wishing him a speedy recovery.
“Messages are pouring in, and everyone’s so proud of him for doing this and dealing with the issue head-on and not taking risk,” the insider said in March 2025. “No doubt it’s difficult for him and he’s got a long road ahead, the recovery will be excruciating, but he has the support of so many people in his corner and that means the world to him.”
“People like Kenny Chesney, Lionel Richie, Tracy Lawrence and Randy Travis and others are offering to help him and the family any way they can,” the insider shared. “They’re all getting up in age and have their aches and pains and troubles, so they applaud Tim for being strong in the face of adversity. They’re telling him he’ll be back on the horse in no time.”
In addition to offering him support amid his injuries, Tim previously credited Faith for saving his life and helping him get sober.
“I remember a moment when I was getting out of bed and going to the liquor cabinet and taking a big shot at 8:00 in the morning and thinking, I have to wake the kids up,” he told Esquire in August 2021. “I went straight to my wife and said, ‘This is where I’m at.’ I was scared. She just grabbed me and hugged me and changed my life.”
The “Cowboy Lullaby” singer, who shares daughters Gracie, Maggie and Audrey McGraw with Faith, has been sober since 2008.
“I guarantee you, had I not gotten married to Faith at 29 years old A, I probably would’ve ran my career into the ground, and B, I would’ve died already with my career into the ground, one or the other, and it wouldn’t have ever been where it’s at now,” Tim said during an interview with Apple Music host Zane Lowe in April 2023.