By: Scott Bruno

Tommy John Left Handed pitcher who pitched for 21 years with

seven different teams

Ended his career with 288 wins which is seventh all time for left handed pitchers

Four time all-star

Surgery First performed in 1974

Occurs when the ligament in the medial elbow needs to be replaced

This ligament is formally known as the ulnar collateral ligament

Process for Surgery A tendon from the forearm or under the knee is taken

to replace in the ligament

The tendon is then sewed together in a figure eight pattern which is drilled in the ulna and humerus bone

Symptoms Athletes will experience a sharp pop in elbow

Develop sharp pain on the inside of elbow

Decrease in velocity, pain while throwing

Prognosis Chances of recovery for patients is very high and are

estimated to be 85-92%

Tommy John, received his surgery in 1974

Rehabbed for 18 months and was pitching again in 1976

Risk’s for Tommy John UCL can be aggravated during the throwing motion

Mostly affects Major League pitchers because of the stress they are putting on their elbows

Pitchers who throw off-speed pitches are in high risk

Curveballs and sliders

After Affects Pitchers tend to throw ball harder

Velocity increases on pitchers fastball

Takes a time consuming recovery to fully be able to throw again

Construction of Surgery

Non-Surgical Treatment Rest athlete for long period of time

Ice elbow when possible, take anti-inflammatory medicines

Once inflammation has decreased rehab of the elbow will take place

Beginning Rehabilitation Decrease inflammation in elbow region

Ice elbow as much as possible

Begin light throwing sessions

0-3 weeks

Rehabilitation to reduce pain Daily massages on elbow

Electrical stim

Ice regularly

0-3 weeks

Rehabilitation for Strength

Includes, extending and flexing the elbow region

Most patients will actively do 3 sets of 10 repetitions

4-8 weeks

Early Stages of Rehabilitation Increasing strength in the arm where surgery was

needed

Improving endurance

Try and have full range of motion

4-8 weeks

Early Stages Continued Isometric exercises that include flexing and extending

3 sets of 10 repetitions with a two pound dumbbell, flexing the elbow region and extending it out

Wrist isometric exercises

Apply force against a ball with wrist and forearm, 4 sets of 20 repetitions

Middle Stages of Rehabilitation 9-13 weeks

Trying to increase full arm strength and endurance

Begin throwing motion at a reasonable distance

Middle Stages Continued Plyometrics

Throw a weighted medicine ball with one hand

Overhead throw

Chest pass throw

Side to side throw

Final Stages of Rehabilitation Weeks 14-26

Continuing to increase strength and endurance

Hoping to return to active play

Full range of motion in injured area

Final Stages Continued Begin throwing program

Increase distance after each throw made

Rest 2-3 days after the first day of throwing

Summary Serious injury

Could lead to retiring for professional athletes

Preventable

Rehab takes a lot of patience and is time consuming