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Return to play less likely for MLB pitchers after revision Tommy John surgery
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Recently published data indicated performance and return to play among Major League Baseball players after revision Tommy John surgery decreased, specifically with regard to durability, compared with matched controls.
Researchers used publicly available databases to retrospectively review data for 235 Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers with ulnar collateral ligament injuries who underwent primary Tommy John Surgery and 31 pitchers who underwent revision surgery. Investigators collected play information including profiles, dates of surgeries, return dates and performance metrics. Investigators compared controls matched for position and age with pitchers who returned to one or more games after revision surgery to determine pitching performance preoperatively and postoperatively.
Results showed 26 MLB pitchers had more than a 2-year follow-up. Seventeen pitchers were able to return to at least one game, with 11 pitchers able to return to and pitch for 10 or more games. Investigators noted the average time for recovery among those who returned to the MBL after revision was 20.76 months. MLB pitchers who underwent revision surgery compared with the controls had a statistically shorter pitching career. Pitchers who underwent revision surgery also pitched fewer innings and had fewer total pitchers per season compared with the matched controls, according to researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Liu reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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