What Is Your “Tommy John” Ligament?
You’ve probably heard of a few odd or unusual terms that refer to various medical conditions, body parts, or specific injuries. One of the most common of these terms, particularly heard in sports circles, is used to describe the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) of the elbow, also known as the “Tommy John Ligament.”
The UCL, or Tommy John ligament, is the main ligament stabilizing the inner part of the elbow. It attaches the end of the arm bone to one of the forearm bones. The UCL is often torn or stretched by activities causing repetitive strain on the ligament – particularly throwing or tennis. Stretching of the ligament can cause subtle instability in the elbow leading to pain with repetitive throwing. Often the ligament needs to be reconstructed with a tendon graft to restore its strength and allow return to pain-free throwing or overhead sports, a procedure that has become common in baseball pitchers.
Where Did The Name Tommy John Come From?
Tommy John was major league baseball pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers and New York Yankees over a twenty-year career and was the first person to undergo the procedure that now carries his name. John began to experience some serious ligament discomfort and pitching problems around 1974. Dr. Frank Jobe, a noted orthopaedic surgeon who was team physician for the L.A. Dodgers at that time diagnosed John with tearing of the UCL as the cause of his pitching problems and devised a new surgical procedure to reconstruct the ligament – a radical and controversial treatment at the time. Back then, it was believed that a major league pitcher could never return to pitching in the big leagues after having surgery. Faced with few options and the prospect of having to retire from baseball, John placed his trust in Dr. Jobe and underwent the procedure. He then went on to return to the major leagues and had a successful Hall of Fame carreer. Based on his success, the procedure became known as the “Tommy John” procedure and is now commonly performed on baseball pitchers with painful elbows.
Misconceptions About the “Tommy John” Procedure
Based on John’s experience and the success of others who have had the procedure over the years there has become a misconception that undergoing the procedure can actually improve pitching performance over that of having a normal elbow. Many players and coaches came to believe that the procedure increased pitching velocity and accuracy and that players were actually “better” after undergoing the procedure. There is no medical or biomechanical evidence to support this. However, most sports medicine and athletic trainers believe that the post-operative rehab and strengthening that players undergo after the surgery is what often times can lead to their improved performance. This has lead to more research and focus on prevent exercises and training regimens to improve performance in throwing and to help prevent the need for a thrower to undergo a “Tommy John” procedure.
Read this: Advair Diskus
Good article, thanks.
Hello all comrades
Hello. And Bye.
Hello. And Bye.
Hello. And Bye.
I simply want to tell you that I am very new to blogging and certainly liked you’re web site. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You actually have awesome articles. Cheers for revealing your website.
Hiya make friends
Good day my friends your text with the same expression order Gabapentin cheap 5C08s.
I simply want to tell you that I am just very new to blogs and actually liked you’re web site. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You amazingly have excellent well written articles. Cheers for sharing your website page.
I just want to mention I am beginner to blogs and truly savored you’re page. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You definitely have terrific article content. Thanks a lot for revealing your web-site.
I simply want to mention I am all new to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed this web page. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your website . You surely have incredible stories. Appreciate it for sharing with us your web site.
I just want to say I’m new to blogging and site-building and really savored you’re web site. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog . You surely come with exceptional stories. Cheers for sharing with us your webpage.
I just want to tell you that I am very new to blogging and site-building and actually liked your website. Most likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You certainly come with tremendous posts. Many thanks for sharing with us your web page.
I just want to tell you that I am just new to weblog and seriously liked you’re web-site. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog . You really have really good stories. Bless you for revealing your webpage.
There is visibly a lot to realize about this. I assume you made some good points in features also.
Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one¡¦s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
As I web-site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling great , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
There is perceptibly a bundle to identify about this. I assume you made various good points in features also.
Well I sincerely liked studying it. This tip offered by you is very helpful for good planning.