A torn elbow ligament question.

[strike1]

I had Tommy John surgery my senior year in college. Dr. David Denneka in Murfreesboro did my surgery. He also was a pupil of Dr. Andrews. He did an amazing job. It has been eight years since my surgery and my elbow feels great. I coach high school and I am still able to challenge my kids every now and then during bp. Recovery will take a while, but it is possible to satrt throwing and playing again in less than a year (depends on the individual). Getting on the mound may not happen, but stepping on the field and helping his team is definetly attainable by next seson. As far as playing through the season with the tear, it all depends on the type of tear. Your son needs an MRI and a specialist to help you guys out. There is 3 weeks left in the season for most teams and if he can play through the pain and still help his team, then try to finish the season. It usally takes 2-3 weeks to get surgeries set-up for orthopedics any way. I would say have a date set immediately after the season ends. Good luck and I hope all goes well.

[necvol]

Thanks again to everyone for sharing your knowledge/experiences.

[R.E.D.]

Mon son has torn both ligaments in his pitching elbow and went to see Dr. Andrews about a year ago. Dr. Andrews was very good and knew baseball. Knew exactly what to say and showed pitcures to back his explaination. Long and short he told my son he needed Tommy John surgery if he wanted to ever pitch again. The news really played havoc with my son and effected him (us) all last season.

 

Tommy John surgery requires 14-18 months recovery. You lose 2 high school seasons in essence, depending upon the surgery. Dr. Andrews said 24 months for complete recovery and he would probably gain back his strength and velocity but the chances of increasing the velo was slim due to the surgery. He told my son... why miss your junior and senior high school season and not have a real good chance of making huge improvements. (There are not many 16/17 yr olds that are throwing 90 and if you are only throwing 85 that is mediocre in big conferences).

 

My son plays(ed) first base and outfield and has no arm problems today. His arm strength is nearly as good as it was. Dr. Andrews told him that would be the case. Dr. Andrews said it 1 year you will feel as though you can pitch again, but the violent arm action of pitching...it would take 1 or 2 innings before the pain sets in again. He said you can play outfield all year and have 7-10 throws that you really have to let go with and your arm can and will recover from that...but pitching is different.

 

My son lost his chance to pitch and it is still hard to swallow. The letters (that most hard throwing lefties get) dried up. He has dealt with it. But Dr. Andrews made the right call and convinced my son to play other positions. Arm injuries are becoming too common and it devastates young players. I wish I knew more about it as he was growing up. We all have dreams and aspirations and news like this is hard to swallow. I am not trying to be negative. My son still signed JUCO and is happy with that. But he is not doing what "he envisioned".

 

I can tell you Dr. Andrews knows his stuff. He said he would have to really think before he would do Tommy John on a 16 yr old. Torn ligaments are tough. I can, however, state that the hardest part of the injury is to a 17 year old physche. No one knows how much that pain hurts a high school kid who simply loves the game. The pain of realizing that dreams will not come true hurts a lot more that the ligaments do. It effects other parts of their game. And most parents or players don't understand that.

 

Good luck. Take him to see the best (Dr. Andrews) and hope I was not too negative.

[R.E.D.]

My 15 year old son has been going through with this for a year and a half. Not torn, first m.r.i showed thickening real good doctor in Columbia. (Adams-bone and joint.) No pitching and lots of rehab. Now we are seeing Doc. A Gregory at Vandy, also doing rehab no pitching playing first base. Second m.r.i. also said no tear, we go back Friday, it has been a long hard time for my son who loves the game and surely we hope for a green light on pitching in the future. We know "Tommy" surgery has been mentioned but not untill all other options have been looked into especialy if theres not even a torn tendon/ligiment there. I know how hard this has been on him(and me), but know that hes a BALL PLAYER with plenty of speed in the field and on the base paths and lots of ball savy, so to not pitch would not be the end....waiting on Friday. THanks for this forum and more doctor info you never know.

Edited April 20, 2006 by R.E.D.