Has anyone had the "tommy john" surgery or a UCL replacement surgery?

Question

I am most likely going to need it and just wanted to know the pain level (i tolerate pain pretty well), the size of the scar, what activities other than sports i can't do until i heal, and anything else that you may think is important. I appreciate any help with this issue....thank you very much!

Answer 1

I recently underwent "tommy john" surgery in May 06 and am now 3 weeks into the throwing program. But it all started in october of 05 i was diagnosed with a sprained ucl and it was thought that i could rehab without surgery. After 4 months of rehab i took the mound again only to find myself throwing 10 to 12 mph slower with considerable pain .So after this the doctors decided that I would need surgery if I was to return to playing condition. After having the surgery they put you into a hard cast for about 10-14 days. After surgery sucks alot of pain and the worst is trying to sleep with the cast. During that time I had no strength in my throwing hand and couldn't do anything until the start rehab at 18-21days. After they took me out of the cast i wore a baddage which you can take off every so often to shower etc... The scar is about 4 inches on the elbow and they're will be 3 small incision scars on your forearm( if they take your polmerus longus which you can see when you put your thumb and pinkey together but if they don't use that they'll take it from your achillies so they have to shave your leg hahahaha) During the first month or so of rehab youll be spending alot of time trying to get ur flexibility back( it takes a while). During the first 3 months you can't really do to much with ur throwing arm. They say you can golf at 3 months but i wouldnt if you really want to get better, I am at a little more than 5 months and dont watn to put my arm in jeopardy golfing ( it would be really stupid to hurt myself playing golf or whatever) I spent alot of tiem working on my legs and running. The most important thing is if you do have it be patient and dont try to rush it. Good Luck and I hope everything works out.