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

Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, his promising career was initially delayed by Tommy John surgery. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

His contract also includes a $15 million club option for 2027. Springs, 32, underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2023 and returned to start seven games in 2024 before he was shut down in early September. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024

The converted reliever missed the 2022 season with Tommy John surgery and has never pitched more than 146 innings. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Fried underwent Tommy John surgery as a prospect, and he’s dealt with some fluky issues throughout his career, in addition to forearm injuries in 2023 and 2024. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024

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