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

Gonsolin is one year removed from Tommy John surgery, but Roberts said before Saturday’s game that the 30-year-old right-hander and 2022 All-Star could emerge as a candidate for the postseason rotation or bullpen. —Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024

Not after losing not one but two more starters to season-ending Tommy John surgery – part of a rash of injuries that led to a revolving door in the starting rotation. —Andrew Wagner, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

There’s Walker Buehler, who has shown signs of progress lately after struggling earlier this season in his return from Tommy John surgery. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Senzatela had Tommy John surgery in July 2023 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his right elbow. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 13 Sep. 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