Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:11, 9 February 2025

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, is a surgical procedure in which a damaged ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. This procedure is named after Tommy John, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who was the first to undergo the surgery in 1974.

History

The procedure was developed by Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed the first surgery on Tommy John. At the time, the surgery was considered experimental, but it has since become a common procedure for athletes, particularly baseball pitchers, who suffer from UCL injuries.

Procedure

The surgery involves harvesting a tendon from the patient's own body, often from the forearm or hamstring, and using it to replace the damaged UCL. The new tendon is woven in a figure-eight pattern through holes drilled in the humerus and ulna bones of the elbow. The procedure typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Recovery

Recovery from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction can take a year or more. The rehabilitation process involves physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength to the elbow. Athletes, particularly pitchers, may take longer to return to their previous level of performance.

Impact on Sports

Tommy John surgery has had a significant impact on sports, especially baseball. Many pitchers have successfully returned to their sport after undergoing the procedure, and some have even extended their careers by several years. However, the surgery is not without risks, and not all athletes return to their previous level of performance.

Related Pages

References

Jobe, F. W., & Moynes, D. R. (1982). "Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament in athletes." *The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery*, 64(1), 59-65.
Fleisig, G. S., Andrews, J. R., Dillman, C. J., & Escamilla, R. F. (1995). "Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms." *The American Journal of Sports Medicine*, 23(2), 233-239.

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-'''Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction''' (UCLR), also known as [[Tommy John Surgery]], is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the [[elbow]] is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's body. The need for UCLR is most commonly associated with sports, particularly [[baseball]].
+== Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction ==
+[[File:Tommy John 2008 bronx.jpg|thumb|right|Tommy John, the first person to undergo the surgery that now bears his name.]]
+'''Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction''', commonly known as '''Tommy John surgery''', is a surgical procedure in which a damaged [[ulnar collateral ligament]] (UCL) in the [[elbow]] is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. This procedure is named after [[Tommy John]], a former [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) pitcher who was the first to undergo the surgery in 1974.
 == History ==
-The procedure is named after [[Tommy John]], a former professional baseball player who was the first person to undergo this surgery in 1974. The surgery was performed by Dr. [[Frank Jobe]], a renowned orthopedic surgeon who pioneered the procedure.
+The procedure was developed by Dr. [[Frank Jobe]], who performed the first surgery on Tommy John. At the time, the surgery was considered experimental, but it has since become a common procedure for athletes, particularly [[baseball]] pitchers, who suffer from UCL injuries.
-== Indications ==
-Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction is indicated when there is a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament that does not respond to non-surgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, and medication. This condition is most commonly seen in athletes who participate in sports that involve overhead throwing motions, such as baseball and [[javelin throw]].
 == Procedure ==
-During the UCLR procedure, a surgeon makes an incision over the medial epicondyle area, removes the damaged ligament, and then replaces it with a tendon harvested from another part of the patient's body, often the forearm or hamstring. The tendon graft is then threaded through holes drilled in the [[humerus]] and [[ulna]] in a figure-eight pattern and secured.
+The surgery involves harvesting a tendon from the patient's own body, often from the [[forearm]] or [[hamstring]], and using it to replace the damaged UCL. The new tendon is woven in a figure-eight pattern through holes drilled in the [[humerus]] and [[ulna]] bones of the elbow. The procedure typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
 == Recovery ==
-Following surgery, patients typically undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process that includes physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility to the elbow. Full recovery can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
+Recovery from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction can take a year or more. The rehabilitation process involves physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength to the elbow. Athletes, particularly pitchers, may take longer to return to their previous level of performance.
-== Risks and Complications ==
+== Impact on Sports ==
-As with any surgical procedure, Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction carries potential risks and complications. These may include infection, nerve damage, loss of range of motion, and failure of the graft.
+Tommy John surgery has had a significant impact on sports, especially baseball. Many pitchers have successfully returned to their sport after undergoing the procedure, and some have even extended their careers by several years. However, the surgery is not without risks, and not all athletes return to their previous level of performance.
-== See Also ==
+== Related Pages ==
 * [[Tommy John]]
 * [[Frank Jobe]]
-* [[Elbow]]
+* [[Elbow injuries]]
-* [[Baseball]]
+* [[Baseball pitching]]
-* [[Javelin throw]]
-* [[Humerus]]
+== References ==
-* [[Ulna]]
+* Jobe, F. W., & Moynes, D. R. (1982). "Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament in athletes." *The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery*, 64(1), 59-65.
+* Fleisig, G. S., Andrews, J. R., Dillman, C. J., & Escamilla, R. F. (1995). "Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms." *The American Journal of Sports Medicine*, 23(2), 233-239.
 [[Category:Orthopedic surgical procedures]]
 [[Category:Sports medicine]]
 [[Category:Baseball terminology]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}