What is Tommy John surgery?

Tommy John surgery is a reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow. A tendon from elsewhere in the body is used to repair a torn or ruptured UCL. It was first performed by Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974 on Tommy John, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2. Does an athlete require an actual elbow injury to undergo the surgery?

Yes. 51% of high school athletes incorrectly believe that Tommy John surgery should be performed on players with an elbow injury to enhance performance (Ahmad et al.). However, the only approved medical reason for Tommy John surgery is a torn or ruptured ulnar collateral ligament. The procedure should not be performed in the absence of an injury.

3. How many pitchers undergo Tommy John surgery per year?

Overall, Tommy John surgery has a high rate of return to play, particularly relative to other common procedures for pitchers. Most studies have concluded that 70-80% of pitchers return to their previous level of competition following surgery assuming that they follow rehab protocols. However, the rate and time of return to play vary according to the individual and there are many other issues that may complicate the success rate of the surgery.

7. How long does it take to return to competitive throwing following surgery?

The average pitcher returns to game action 12-16 months following surgery but that time varies greatly by individual. In a recent study by Erickson et al., Major League pitchers returned in as little as 11 months and as many as 30 months. The player's return also depends on when the surgery is performed in the context of the baseball season as well as the severity of the injury. Players, parents and coaches should remember that each injury is unique and has its own timeline for recovery.

9. Does Tommy John surgery improve pitching speed?

No. 53% of college athletes incorrectly believe that pitching speed would improve following Tommy John surgery (Ahmad et al.). Similar to overall performance, players do not throw harder after Tommy John surgery than they did before the procedure. Most doctors have concluded that in cases where pitchers who have thrown harder post-surgery, it was predominantly due to the quality of their rehabilitation and improved strength and conditioning.