Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John surgery is typically used for tears of ligaments in the elbow due to overuse rather than a single traumatic event. Such overuse injuries are common in baseball pitchers and other athletes who experience a lot of bending in the elbow. The orthopedic specialists at Surgical Solutions Network offer Tommy John surgery to patients from Toronto, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia, and throughout Canada who want to renew their quality of life without a long wait time.

Tommy John Surgery With Surgical Solutions Network

You don’t need to live with chronic pain while enduring long wait times for elbow surgery. Explore your options for private healthcare in Canada and receive timely access to private elbow surgery. Surgical Solutions Networks has private medical clinics in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary. Patients from across the country and around the world choose our network of private medical clinics for elbow surgery. Our experienced surgeons are known for excellence in outcomes from this procedure. As a patient-centered medical group, we strive to provide all patients with a compassionate, caring, and rewarding experience.

Why Do They Call It Tommy John Surgery?

This technique was introduced and performed by Frank Jobe, M.D., on baseball pitcher Tommy John in 1974—hence the colloquial name Tommy John surgery.

What Is Tommy John Elbow Surgery?

Tommy John surgery is a reconstructive surgery commonly used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow by replacing it with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. The goals of the surgery include:

• Stabilize the elbow
• Reduce or eliminate pain
• Restore stability and range of motion

This procedure may be recommended if your lifestyle or job demands a lot of stress on the elbow or if nonsurgical treatments haven’t relieved your pain.

What Happens During Tommy John Surgery?

Patients may need to follow specific advice on what to do before Tommy John surgery. Our surgeons typically perform the surgery using general anesthesia, which means the patient is unconscious for the duration of the procedure.

The surgeon begins by making one or more small incisions in the elbow area large enough for small instruments, including a camera to guide the surgeon, to be inserted to perform the surgery. This is called elbow arthroscopy.

After surgery, the patient is taken to a recovery room to be monitored in case there are any complications. The procedure does not typically require an overnight stay. Patients must have a responsible adult drive them home.

How Long Is Recovery After Tommy John Surgery?

While each patient is different, most regain full range of motion in about 6 weeks. Athletes need a longer recovery period due to the stresses on the joint. Tommy John surgery typically allows for a shorter recovery period than more invasive surgical techniques.

Next Steps: Book Your Tommy John Surgery Consultation

During your consultation, your patient advisor will discuss:

• Your medical history
• Incision techniques
• Potential risks and complications

If you are ready to discuss your elbow surgery needs with our surgeons, contact us online to learn more about Surgical Solutions’ private medical clinics and request a consultation today.