A Tommy John injury is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) on the medial (inside) part of the elbow. It is most commonly seen in baseball pitchers and other athletes who participate in overhead throwing sports. The injury can range from mild to severe, from a stretched, inflamed ligament to a complete tear. Overuse and overstress of the UCL can lead to injury. Symptoms of a Tommy John injury include inner elbow pain, pain with overhead throwing motions, decreased throwing velocity, fatigue when pitching, and numbness and tingling in the elbow, forearm, and/or hand.
Tommy John surgery, also known as UCL reconstruction, is a surgical procedure used to repair a torn UCL inside the elbow. It is typically used for UCL tears that happened due to overuse, rather than a single traumatic event. The surgery involves replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in the body or from a donor. The procedure is named after former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John, who was the first ball player to undergo the procedure in 1974.
Although Tommy John surgery is a major procedure, it is typically an outpatient procedure and patients can usually return home the same day. The rehabilitation process can take several months and involves physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion in the elbow. The good news is that since the surgery was first performed, many athletes have undergone the procedure and been able to return to their sport.
