Nationals rookie pitcher, Jordan Zimmerman, has blown out his throwing elbow and will require a ligament-replacement procedure. In other sporting terms, this is also called Tommy John surgery. ( More information about Tommy John surgery)
All of this happened from soreness of his elbow. He was then placed on a 15-day disabled list, with high hopes of returning 100% later in the season. Shortly after rehab began, the pain and discomfort continued to ail the pitcher. Taking no chances, the Washington Nationals organization, immediately ordered an MRI and subsequently it was determined that a ligament in Zimmermann's elbow would need replacing.
Before the "Tommy John surgery" procedure was utilized, these particular injuries were considered career killers for professional baseball pitchers / athletes. With advances in medical technology, Zimmerman and Nationals' fans can expect to see the pitcher back in full "pitch" in 18-months.
Definition:
Tommy John surgery is a surgical reconstruction of elbow ligaments that are often torn in baseball pitchers.
Tommy John was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1970s. In 1974, he was having one of his career best seasons (13-3), when he permanently damaged his right elbow. (ulnar collateral ligament) Which then lead to a revolutionary surgical operation. (now named after him) His operational procedure utilized the intact tendon from his non-pitching arm to replace the damaged ligament in his pitching arm. After surgery, Tommy John, had to wait a full year to recover from surgery. The following year in 1976, he returned and pitched a 10-10 season. Most baseball historians claimed this feat as miraculous.
Procedure:
Table that displays more indepth information on medical procedure and recovery time:
| Year: | Procedure: | Recovery Time: |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | After the tendon from the forearm of the same or opposite elbow or below the knee is harvested it is then woven in a figure-eight pattern through tunnels that have been drilled in the ulna and humerus bone that are part of the elbow joint. | 16-18 months after surgery |
| Pre-1974 (Tommy John Surgery) | There were no procedures available at this time to cure this ailment. | Career Ending |
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