@nycdad posted:He saw Ahmad today. Ahmad saw a small tear and his USCL is "spongy" meaning there are likely smaller tears. Based on the imaging and the tests Ahmad did, the plan is for TJ surgery with an internal brace. I was confused by this because I thought it was one or the other. Apparently Ahmad is the only one doing this now. They take the tendon from his wrist, and wrap it in the collagen they use for the internal brace. He's estimating 8-10 month before return to play. So hoping by conference play next season and my son went back to school and started inquiring with the athletic department about a waiver for this season so it counts as a red shirt year.
I am pretty sure Meister was the first to do TJ + brace, about 2-1/2 years ago. They graft the vestigal palmaris tendon onto the ulna and humerus, and then use a collagen-soaked wrap to repair the original UCL. After recovery, the patient essentially has two UCLs instead of one.
TJ+brace is slowly becoming more common but it's new enough that it’s mostly being done only at the large academic health centers. Peer-reviewed documentation about recovery time and outcomes is still thin.
Ahmad probably meant he's the only orthopedist at Columbia doing the procedure. I know there's a couple docs at NYU who've had successful outcomes.
Feel free to send a DM if you'd like more info.