Non-Pitcher Elbow Injuries & Tommy John Surgery: What You Need to Know

Tommy John surgery is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow. The UCL is a thick band of tissue that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) to the ulna (forearm bone) and is responsible for providing stability to the elbow joint.

Tommy John surgery is typically performed on baseball pitchers who have suffered an injury to the UCL, which can occur due to the repetitive stress of throwing a baseball. While it is possible for a non-throwing elbow to also suffer a UCL injury, this is much less common and is usually the result of a traumatic event, such as a fall or direct blow to the elbow.

In most cases, Tommy John surgery is not necessary for non-throwing elbows, as the injury can often be treated conservatively with rest, ice, and physical therapy. However, if the injury is severe or does not respond to conservative treatment, Tommy John surgery may be recommended.