This past weekend one of major league baseball’s most valuable players was inducted into Cooperstown, and was forever enshrined in baseball immortality. The yearly ceremony that shares the towns name (Cooperstown, New York) honors players who have worked hard, and held the game of baseball to the highest standard. Dating back to 1936, there have been 310 elected players inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame, basing it off of 75% of the vote, making this elite club extremely selective as to who they want to represent such an award. This year the induction ceremony was interesting as Atlanta Braves ace John Smoltz was the first player inducted following Tommy John Surgery. The way Tommy John is used today, it is doubted that Smoltz will be the last to get inducted as many pitchers have gained new life and much success following the surgery.
You know it as Tommy John Surgery, named after the pitcher who experimented with the procedure back in 1974; sports medicine doctors know the procedure as Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction. The reason why athletes need the surgery today is due to the fact that the UCL has been injured to the point where constant pain occurs in the elbow. A surgical graft procedure will replace the ligament with a tendon from the forearm, hamstring, or your other elbow. Although the surgery seems complicated, it is merely the first step toward the long road of recovery time, rest, and preparation.
What Causes the Tears?
When the arm is moved back your body is moving forward causing a torque in your arm. When force is applied to have your arm pushed forward, a stress is put on the UCL. Doing this 100 times every start, with multiple types of pitches can amount to a ton of stress over and over again. As of 2014, more pitchers have had the surgery than in the entire decade of the 90’s, along with 25% of active MLB pitchers having the procedure done thus far.
What was once looked at as a “controversial” surgery, has become a household name in the baseball world, giving players a new hope. Unless you have been living under a rock the last 20 years, you will know that the cause to get the surgery occurs from a combination of issues. Plain and simple, it can be unnatural for us to pitch a baseball. “Today, pitchers are doing more pitching than actual throwing of a baseball.” stated Smoltz during his ceremony speech. Moving your arm in a way that looks like it will fly off does not sit easy with most when viewing the mechanics in slow motion. But it is the sport we enjoy and love to play, making it America’s pastime. With that being said, the future looks bright for athletes who are getting Tommy John surgery as it proves that with the proper rehabilitation and rest, the arm can come back stronger and have a great effect on the way you play.
Are you a pitcher suffering from elbow pain? Schedule a consultation today and we can help.