“How long is the recovery from Tommy John surgery?”
I need to have Tommy John surgery from throwing a really bad fastball in one of my games. My coach said this is sometimes a career ending injury, even if I get the surgery. How long is the recovery for this surgery, usually, and what are the odds that it'll be successful?
7 Answers
12-18 months, Long recovery. Probably around 70% chance of returning. Consider PRP first.
1year. Should be successful. You should ask your surgeon
High success rate that you will be pitching again >90%. 9-12 months before pitching competitively.
Ulnar nerve instability did NOT come from 1 pitch. Recovery from this surgery is at least 6 months. Higher level athletes can come back from this injury.
12-18 months. Core strengthening, proper mechanics and working with really good pitching coaches make all the difference (look up DriveLine baseball)
I want to make clear that I am a primary care sports physicians and I don't perform surgery.
With that being said, with partial tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), first line of treatment would be non-operative or non-surgical on partial tears. High level throwers often do get Tommy John surgery in order to continue and remain competitive in their sport. Tommy John surgery is reconstruction of the anterior band of the UCL. Returning to competitive throwing is a lengthy process and typically takes anywhere from 9-12 months. 90% of throwers return to pre-injury levels of throwing.
If you would like to speak to a surgeon in the area regarding the surgery, Please feel free to reach out to me and I'll be happy to refer you to some of our top local orthopedic surgeons (sports medicine specialists).
With that being said, with partial tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), first line of treatment would be non-operative or non-surgical on partial tears. High level throwers often do get Tommy John surgery in order to continue and remain competitive in their sport. Tommy John surgery is reconstruction of the anterior band of the UCL. Returning to competitive throwing is a lengthy process and typically takes anywhere from 9-12 months. 90% of throwers return to pre-injury levels of throwing.
If you would like to speak to a surgeon in the area regarding the surgery, Please feel free to reach out to me and I'll be happy to refer you to some of our top local orthopedic surgeons (sports medicine specialists).
Tommy John surgery can be very successful in the experienced surgeon’s hands, but no surgery is guaranteed. Usually to heal takes 4 months. To return to heavy lifting, throwing, etc., can take 5-9 months to fully heal, recovery, etc.
Mark Burt, M.D.
Mark Burt, M.D.
