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
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
I am very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to you.
Excellent post. I certainly love this site. Keep it up!
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I¡¦ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I take pleasure in, result in I discovered exactly what I used to be looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
Somebody necessarily help to make critically posts I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and so far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular submit amazing. Fantastic process!
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my search for something regarding this.
I savour, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate info… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this website, as I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again soon..
Awsome post and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
What i do not realize is actually how you are no longer really much more well-liked than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You understand thus significantly in the case of this topic, made me in my view imagine it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women are not interested except it is something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs great. All the time take care of it up!
Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one¡¦s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I have been reading out a few of your stories and it’s nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your website.
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are incredible! Thanks!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!