TOMMY JOHN SURGERY

By: Ryan Kmiec12th grade Athletic Training Class

Who is Tommy John?

Played for 6 teams Including Yankees, Dodgers and Angels 288 Career Wins and 3.34 ERA First player to receive the surgery

History

Known as Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Occurs in throwing sports Mainly in baseball players First done in 1974 Dr. Frank Jobe

History contd.

1974 1 in 100 return rate Now 85-90% return rate 488 baseball players had surgery Dr. Lewis Yocum and James Andrews

I could do this in my

sleep

Same Bro

Ulnar Collateral Ligament

Inside of Elbow Between Humerus and Ulna Major Stabilizer Stabilize against valgus force

Risk Factors

Improper Mechanics Pitch Count Pitch Type- Sliders/Curveballs Growth plate open in young athletes

Shouldn’t have thrown that curve

Symptoms

Pain on the inside of the elbow A sense of looseness or instability in the

elbow Irritation of the ulnar nerve Tingling or numbness in the small finger

and ring finger. Decreased ability to throw

Before Surgery

Rest Ice Anti Inflammatory Medication X-Ray MRI Prehab- if needed

Surgery

Tendon from- wrist/forearm/hamstring/hip Tunnels drilled in humerus and ulna Tendon is passed through the holes “Figure 8”

Yuck!!

Rehab- Phase 1

Wear a splint for seven to 10 days to immobilize the elbow.

Do gentle range-of-motion exercises for the wrist, hand, and shoulder.

Wear a range-of-motion brace to gradually regain full motion of the elbow joint.

Do exercises to strengthen the arm and shoulder.

Perform total-body conditioning exercises.

Rehab- Phase 2

Starting about six weeks after surgery:

Most patients can begin to perform elbow-strengthening exercises.

For at least the next four months, most patients are advised to avoid activities that overstress the graft(Tendon)

Rehab- Phase 3

About four or five months after surgery, athletes may toss a ball without a wind-up motion.

After six months, athletes may start to use an easy wind-up when throwing.

After seven months, baseball pitchers may return to the mound.

After nine months, pitchers may throw in competition if they are pain-free and have regained their normal strength and range of motion.

Range of Motion Brace

Prehab

Am I throwing harder???

Idea that a player will throw harder if they have Tommy John Surgery.

This one's coming in

harder than before

No it’s not C’YAAA!!

Misconception

The surgery does not cause a pitcher to throw harder.

The intense rehab makes the person stronger than before.

Increased velocity

Notable Pitching Restrictions

Little League- 85 pitches Little League- No Curveballs MLB- Innings Limit first year about 185 MLB- generally 100 pitches

Notable Players

Stephen Strasburg Joba Chamberlain AJ Burnett Brian Wilson (twice) Rink Ankiel Tim Hudson