Tommy John surgery

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Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, also known as Tommy John surgery, is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with either a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's body, or with one from a deceased donor. The procedure is common among collegiate and professional athletes in several sports, particularly in baseball. The surgery is performed to restore optimal function for repetitive elbow movements or specifically throwing mechanics, often extending the careers of professional athletes. In many athletes, the surgery is done more than once during their careers. The procedure was devised in 1974 by orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe, a Los Angeles Dodgers team physician who served as a special advisor to the team until his death in 2014. It is named after the first baseball player to undergo the surgery, major league pitcher Tommy John, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 26 seasons. The initial operation, John's successful post-surgery career, and the relationship between the two men was the subject of a 2013 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary.