James C. Cassandra, DO
Orthopedic Hand & Elbow Surgeon
What Is UCL Repair (Tommy John Surgery)?
Tommy John surgery (also known as a UCL repair or UCL reconstruction) is a well-known surgical procedure among athletes.
It was named after MLB pitcher Tommy John, who was the first to undergo the procedure in 1974.
- About UCL Repair
The goal of this procedure is to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament by using a graft or donor tendon to provide stability to the damaged joint.
The Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons at OrthoNeuro are experts in Tommy John surgery procedures and have helped thousands of patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle following this procedure.
How Is Tommy John Surgery Performed?
At OrthoNeuro, Tommy John surgery is performed on an outpatient basis so that you are able to return home the same day as your procedure.
If the UCL tendon is torn and needs to be repaired, a graft from another area of the body is used and can be taken from a tendon in the forearm, hamstring, or big toe.
Your OrthoNeuro surgeon will discuss with you which graft may be best for your procedure.
During the procedure:
- A small incision is made in the area of the elbow where the tendon is torn
- Damaged tissue or bone spurs are removed
- Small holes are made in the bones of the elbow
- The graft is then threaded through the tendons
- The graft is secured to the holes in the elbow using small anchors, buttons, or screws
- The incision is closed with small sutures
Using our advanced minimally invasive techniques, there is very little surgical trauma and you are able to recover and return to normal activities shortly after surgery.
Physical therapy will be an important component of recovery after surgery, especially for high-level athletes.
Make an Appointment with an OrthoNeuro Specialist Today!
If you have been considering Tommy John surgery, schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists at one of our 7 convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus.
Best of all, most patients can be seen within 24 hours of making an appointment.
Related Services
Elbow
Hand & Wrist
- Arthritis of the Hand, Wrist & Thumb
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Finger Sprains
- Broken Wrist
- Wrist Sprain
- Wrist Tendonitis
- Ganglion Cyst
- Trigger Finger Syndrome
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
- De Quervain’s Tendinosis
- Hand Tendon Repair
- Basal Joint Surgery
- Hand Arthroplasty
- Wrist Arthroscopy
- Closed Reduction-Internal Fixation
- Mallet Finger
Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Specialists
YOU USE YOUR HANDS, WRISTS, AND ELBOWS ALL THE TIME. DON’T LET PAIN INTERFERE WITH YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE OR INDEPENDENCE. CALL ORTHONEURO TODAY OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE IF YOU HAVE PERSISTENT PAIN IN YOUR HAND, WRIST, OR ELBOW THAT LIMITS YOUR MOVEMENT OR INDEPENDENCE.
Gary M. Millard, DO
Orthopedic Hand & Elbow Surgeon
Scott P. Stephens, MD
Orthopedic Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon
Desmond J. Stutzman, DO
Orthopedic Hand & Elbow Surgeon
“I love this group of Doctors. They have specialists to cover what ever part of the body is in need of treatment. Every doctor i have seen in this practice have had a very good bedside manner and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this practice for all your orthopedic and neurological needs”
Teresa H.
Patient
