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

Gerrit Cole, meanwhile, is coming off Tommy John surgery. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

After recovering from Tommy John surgery and a triceps injury, Shane McClanahan is scheduled to make his first major league start since August 2023 for Tampa Bay on Tuesday. —ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

Joe Musgrove is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery. —Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Vasil out for season Mike Vasil, a former BC High star from Wellesley, will miss the entire 2026 season after suffering an elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for Tommy John surgery

• radiosurgery
• cryosurgery
• microsurgery
• neurosurgery
• psychosurgery
• perjury

Medical Definition

Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän- 

: ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction