Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Tommy John, the first person to undergo the surgery that now bears his name.

Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, is a surgical procedure in which a damaged ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. This procedure is named after Tommy John, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who was the first to undergo the surgery in 1974.

History

The procedure was developed by Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed the first surgery on Tommy John. At the time, the surgery was considered experimental, but it has since become a common procedure for athletes, particularly baseball pitchers, who suffer from UCL injuries.

Procedure

The surgery involves harvesting a tendon from the patient's own body, often from the forearm or hamstring, and using it to replace the damaged UCL. The new tendon is woven in a figure-eight pattern through holes drilled in the humerus and ulna bones of the elbow. The procedure typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Recovery

Recovery from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction can take a year or more. The rehabilitation process involves physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength to the elbow. Athletes, particularly pitchers, may take longer to return to their previous level of performance.

Impact on Sports

Tommy John surgery has had a significant impact on sports, especially baseball. Many pitchers have successfully returned to their sport after undergoing the procedure, and some have even extended their careers by several years. However, the surgery is not without risks, and not all athletes return to their previous level of performance.

Related Pages

• Tommy John
• Frank Jobe
• Elbow injuries
• Baseball pitching

References

• Jobe, F. W., & Moynes, D. R. (1982). "Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament in athletes." *The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery*, 64(1), 59-65.
• Fleisig, G. S., Andrews, J. R., Dillman, C. J., & Escamilla, R. F. (1995). "Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms." *The American Journal of Sports Medicine*, 23(2), 233-239.