As technology advances all around the world, baseball pitchers are exposed to new ways to throw the baseball at high velocities. This is causing baseball to become a lot more competitive. Players are often playing baseball year round instead of participating in other sports. This year round throwing and arm fatigue is putting more stress on pitchers’ elbows than ever before. This is part of the reason why the number of UCL Reconstructions, commonly know as Tommy John Surgery, is on the rise and does not show any signs of stopping. What is Tommy John Surgery? Tommy John Surgery is a surgery that is used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. There are some accessory tendons in the forearm or hamstring. These accessory tendons
…show more content…
Pitchers need to always be open with any discomfort with their coaches and/or team trainers. Not only the number of pitches in games needs to be monitored, but the number of pitches in practice too. A pitcher should never be a catcher on his team too. This causes him to make too many throws that will almost certainly lead to arm injuries. Pitchers need to take off at least two months of the year from throwing. It is preferable that pitchers take three to four months off to let their arms and bodies rest and recover. Pitchers need to make sure they throw with the best biomechanics possible to avoid injury in the arm …show more content…
It takes pitchers at least a year to recover and be able to pitch again. The main focus of Tommy John Surgery rehabilitation is being able to get the range of motion back in the elbow. Another focus is strength. Pitchers have to maintain total body strength so they do not become weak following the surgery. There also has to be focus on strengthening the new ligament and stabilizing the elbow. The chances of pitching again following Tommy John Surgery is 85%. A major key to successful recovery is to take as much time as necessary to fully recover. Focus on long term instead of taking shortcuts to get back on the mound quicker
Pitchers need to always be open with any discomfort with their coaches and/or team trainers. Not only the number of pitches in games needs to be monitored, but the number of pitches in practice too. A pitcher should never be a catcher on his team too. This causes him to make too many throws that will almost certainly lead to arm injuries. Pitchers need to take off at least two months of the year from throwing. It is preferable that pitchers take three to four months off to let their arms and bodies rest and recover. Pitchers need to make sure they throw with the best biomechanics possible to avoid injury in the arm …show more content…
It takes pitchers at least a year to recover and be able to pitch again. The main focus of Tommy John Surgery rehabilitation is being able to get the range of motion back in the elbow. Another focus is strength. Pitchers have to maintain total body strength so they do not become weak following the surgery. There also has to be focus on strengthening the new ligament and stabilizing the elbow. The chances of pitching again following Tommy John Surgery is 85%. A major key to successful recovery is to take as much time as necessary to fully recover. Focus on long term instead of taking shortcuts to get back on the mound quicker