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

And Kyle Bradish, who underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last June, could return in the second half, though any contribution from him should be considered a bonus. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025

Sandoval is recovering from his own Tommy John surgery, and most likely won’t be available to the Red Sox until after the All-Star break. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Who’s a bigger risk, Buehler or Crochet? Crochet and Buehler both underwent Tommy John surgery during the ‘22 season, in April and August, respectively. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2024

Moran, 27, underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in Nov. 2023 and did not pitch last season. —Newsweek, 24 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