On Wednesday, November 16, 2011, I underwent extensive surgery to reconstruct my ulnar collateral ligament in my elbow. The surgery, known more commonly as Tommy John, is a two hour procedure, in which the surgeon replaces a stretched, torn, or frayed ulnar collateral ligament. This picture shows the largest of my four most recent scars.
My ulnar collateral ligament, prior to surgical treatment, was stretched approximately four millimeters off of my ulna and humerus bones. My surgeon, Doctor Luke Oh, believed that the stretch was linked to my initial posterior elbow dislocation and the increase in stress exerted onto my elbow joint from “improving” my throwing mechanics at college. The stress was so severe that the speed of my throw decreased on average of about ten miles per hour. In less than two weeks, the pain became unbearable. My elbow felt instable and shooting pains would be sent down my arm with every throw. It was at that point that I sought help from Doctor Luke Oh.
Five days after my initial appointment, I found myself sitting in a hospital bed preparing for surgery. In the surgery, a tendon graft from the patient’s wrist or hamstring is used to replace the insufficient ligament. To do so, the doctor drills bone tunnels through the ulna and humerus and weaves the tendon in a figure eight pattern. The doctor also, in my case, moved my ulnar nerve, which had been damaged from the stretch in my ligament. In all, the recovery period is estimated to be 12-15 months.
Now, four weeks post operation, I can already feel a difference with my elbow. The joint, connecting my ulna and humerus bones, feels a lot more stable. For this reason, I know that I will come back stronger next season.
My ulnar collateral ligament, prior to surgical treatment, was stretched approximately four millimeters off of my ulna and humerus bones. My surgeon, Doctor Luke Oh, believed that the stretch was linked to my initial posterior elbow dislocation and the increase in stress exerted onto my elbow joint from “improving” my throwing mechanics at college. The stress was so severe that the speed of my throw decreased on average of about ten miles per hour. In less than two weeks, the pain became unbearable. My elbow felt instable and shooting pains would be sent down my arm with every throw. It was at that point that I sought help from Doctor Luke Oh.
Five days after my initial appointment, I found myself sitting in a hospital bed preparing for surgery. In the surgery, a tendon graft from the patient’s wrist or hamstring is used to replace the insufficient ligament. To do so, the doctor drills bone tunnels through the ulna and humerus and weaves the tendon in a figure eight pattern. The doctor also, in my case, moved my ulnar nerve, which had been damaged from the stretch in my ligament. In all, the recovery period is estimated to be 12-15 months.
Now, four weeks post operation, I can already feel a difference with my elbow. The joint, connecting my ulna and humerus bones, feels a lot more stable. For this reason, I know that I will come back stronger next season.
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