Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg, will receive Tommy John surgery today in order to rebuild an injured right elbow which has given him trouble for the latter part of this season, according to multiple news reports.
Lewis Yocum, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, will perform the procedure assisted by Nationals team physician Wiemi Douguih, MD, of Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center. Dr. Yocum performed this procedure last year on the Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann.
Tommy John Surgery, developed by Frank Jobe, MD, of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, was named for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who first received the procedure to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. Tommy John surgery treats a damaged UCL, which can occur as a result of elbow injury or dislocation. Elbow injuries are common among pitchers because the repetitive throwing motion incurs increased stress on the elbow joint.
Tommy John surgery reconstructs the UCL using an autograft, according to a report from Orthopod. During the procedure, a small camera is inserted into the elbow joint through multiple incisions and the physicians remove any loose material causing problems. The reconstruction is performed from an incision through the inside of the elbow joint. The damaged UCL is replaced with a tendon graft harvested from the forearm, knee or foot.
The success rate of this procedure is about 85 percent and rehabilitation can take 12-18 months. Tommy John surgery is the only UCL reconstruction procedure available, and before its development, a damaged UCL could end the pitcher's career. The last-place Nationals are hoping the surgery will bring the star pitcher back for the 2012 season.
Mr. Strasburg, the first pick in the 2009 draft, hurt himself while pitching against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 21. Thus far in his short professional career, the right-hander has a 2.91 earned-run average and consistently threw a 100 mph fast ball. During his major league debut in June, Mr. Strasburg struck out 14 batters.
Read the MLB Sporting News report on Stephen Strasburg.
Read the Orthopod description of Tommy John Surgery.
Read other coverage on pitching injuries:
- Left-Handed Pitchers Could be at Increased Risk for Shoulder Injury
- Treating Young Athletes: Q&A With Sports Medicine Specialists Dr. Patrick Wupperman
- STOP Sports Injury National Campaign Provides Material for Physicians, Coaches, Young Athletes
Lewis Yocum, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, will perform the procedure assisted by Nationals team physician Wiemi Douguih, MD, of Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center. Dr. Yocum performed this procedure last year on the Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann.
Tommy John Surgery, developed by Frank Jobe, MD, of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, was named for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who first received the procedure to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. Tommy John surgery treats a damaged UCL, which can occur as a result of elbow injury or dislocation. Elbow injuries are common among pitchers because the repetitive throwing motion incurs increased stress on the elbow joint.
Tommy John surgery reconstructs the UCL using an autograft, according to a report from Orthopod. During the procedure, a small camera is inserted into the elbow joint through multiple incisions and the physicians remove any loose material causing problems. The reconstruction is performed from an incision through the inside of the elbow joint. The damaged UCL is replaced with a tendon graft harvested from the forearm, knee or foot.
The success rate of this procedure is about 85 percent and rehabilitation can take 12-18 months. Tommy John surgery is the only UCL reconstruction procedure available, and before its development, a damaged UCL could end the pitcher's career. The last-place Nationals are hoping the surgery will bring the star pitcher back for the 2012 season.
Mr. Strasburg, the first pick in the 2009 draft, hurt himself while pitching against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 21. Thus far in his short professional career, the right-hander has a 2.91 earned-run average and consistently threw a 100 mph fast ball. During his major league debut in June, Mr. Strasburg struck out 14 batters.
Read the MLB Sporting News report on Stephen Strasburg.
Read the Orthopod description of Tommy John Surgery.
Read other coverage on pitching injuries:
- Left-Handed Pitchers Could be at Increased Risk for Shoulder Injury
- Treating Young Athletes: Q&A With Sports Medicine Specialists Dr. Patrick Wupperman
- STOP Sports Injury National Campaign Provides Material for Physicians, Coaches, Young Athletes