Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtä-mē-ˈjän- 

plural Tommy John surgeries

: a surgical procedure in which a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is replaced with a tendon graft typically obtained from a superficial muscle of the forearm : ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the medical director for the Cincinnati Reds, specializes in an elbow-ligament reconstruction procedure commonly known as Tommy John surgery, named for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who first underwent it, in 1974.

—Sara Corbett

But as an outfielder he hurt his throwing arm and had to have Tommy John surgery before the year was out.

—Kelli Anderson

Examples of Tommy John surgery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lows include a season lost to Tommy John surgery in 2021 and what was a largely forgettable year in 2024. —Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Perales, meanwhile, is now about six months out from Tommy John surgery and is progressing nicely in his rehab. —Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2025

Bubic returned from Tommy John surgery last season and thrived in a bullpen role. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 Jan. 2025

The Sox are gambling that Buehler’s final 10 innings in the postseason are a better indication of his ability than his 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts coming off Tommy John surgery. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after Tommy John (Thomas Edward John, Jr. born 1943), U.S. baseball player who underwent the surgery in 1974

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän- 

: ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction