Post Tommy John Surgery

Realize that every kid who has the operation is different---you dont want to do what others did just to be a hero---follow your Docs /PT orders for YOU !!!! You dont want to rush the process just to get where somebody else did---it may not work for you

Bottom Line--listen to your surgeon and PT and listen to your body and what it tells you

congrats on getting back to throwing from the mound. my son had tj 7/06. it takes some time to get the feel back, some say a whole season. but it takes pitching to get it back, just don't go crazy be patient. it took awhile for your son to get this far, don't rush this part.

his velocity was back before the feel was. then there can be some confidence issues as well. though not everybody has this issue. but if you do, i think it's the hardest to overcome.

it's good to be throwing pain free, isn't it?

good luck to your son.

My son is a HS senior who had Tommy John Surgery in Sept '08. His surgeon was very upfront about the peaks & valleys he'd experience (3 steps forward, 2 steps back). Going thru rehab would be hard for anyone, much less for an intensely competitive teen who wants the ball!

My son has been cleared to DH this spring -- he was bummed about missing his senior year on the mound. However, things are looking up. He signed with a junior college that's committed to his rehab, plus he's helping his team with his bat. The goal is for him to start pitching this fall and be "ready to go" next spring (18 mos mark).

Note that we followed the progress of an area pitcher (2008 draft signee) who had the surgery as a HS sophomore... took him one year to "rehab" and another year to get "the feel" back. Career-wise, a short-term sacrifice for long-term gains.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you & your son!

Just keep in mind that no matter what you hear no two players recover the same

tr

true, but he's into the thrower's 10 stage. his arm is good to throw, needs to build his strength back. slowly

DiamondGirl31,

My son is a HS senior who had TJS in Oct '08. He has also been cleared to DH this spring.

What did your son do to get ready to hit again? So much of the rehab is geared towards throwing. Surgeon, PT, and searching the web haven't turned up much on how to approach hitting.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

My son just had TJ surgery on March 19. He is a college freshman and it's been tough for him to just sit on the sidelines this year. Hopefully, he will be ready for next season. The rehab experience will certainly be a test of his determination and character. Right now, he can't wait to get out of the immobilizing splint and into the arm brace. I appreciate all the feedback on this topic.

1st&3rd,

My son's surgeon did provide some guidelines -- though as TRhit says, no two players are the same. My son started hitting off the tee in the winter (Dec/Jan) and then progressed to live BP. He also did shoulder, ab and lower-body work in the gym. I'll ask him for details -- he's playing ball in AZ this week, so give me a few days to get back to you.

DiamondGirl31,

Appreciate it if you would ask your son about the routine he followed. My son has just hit wiffle balls off of a tee so far.

He has done well with his PT and Dr. recently gave him additional excercises to add to his routine. Has also been doing core and lower body work for a while.

Also, how has your son done since returning to game action?

My son, a RHP, had TJ surgery March of 06 and started his first game 11 months later against GA Tech. Sounds like a great recovery right? He told me he didn't completely recover mentally and technically untill July of 08.

Slow and easy is the coarse of action. Most setbacks while they may feel physical are compounded by the determination to get back on the field.

rz

I think that you would agree that it is better to be safe than sorry in these cases

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
rz

I think that you would agree that it is better to be safe thasn sorry in these cases

Ryan followed the protocol to the letter and topped it off with a diet that would make Jack LaLanne proud. When all was said and done he gained 15lbs and lost 8% body fat. Positive thinking, hard work, looking at the game from a different seat, and understanding that it can all be over with the blink of an eye, IMHO, not only makes you a more complete player, but, provides an unforeseen opportunity to learn a life lesson of intestinal fortitude.

The glass is always half full.

quote:

Originally posted by rz1:
My son, a RHP, had TJ surgery March of 06 and started his first game 11 months later against GA Tech. Sounds like a great recovery right? He told me he didn't completely recover mentally and technically untill July of 08.

Bingo..my son had the same experience. Yes, he was back to throwing on the mound after 12 months, but I would agree with most that as a pitcher, it takes 18-24 months to be at 100% mentally and physically.

It's not something you can rush (hard part) and there will be some bumps along the way (scar tissue tearing can be scary), but when you are back and have command of your pitches---you'll be better than you were...and stronger, too.

The time of your surgery plays a role, also. If you have your surgery (college player) at the beginning of your season, the following year you are starting the year again, but the coach is hesitant to pitch you very often, which retards your comeback.

The type of TJ surgery may also have an effect. Nowdays there's a trend toward tying the torn ligament into the tendon that is replacing it. One of the reasons for that is the hope that the ligament will provide proprioception that is normally lost if the ligament is excised.

Tommy John scheduled for Monday. Will be blogging about it til back 100%. Link is in profile if interested

From surgery thru rehab to back on the mound,
Tommy John surgery takes 12 months for the body and mind to heal and with no guarantees.

From surgery thru rehab to back on the mound,
Tommy Bear surgery takes 24 months for the body and mind to heal and with no guarantees.

thanks for the vote of confidence pal

quote:

Originally posted by BackStopMA:
thanks for the vote of confidence pal

Should you continue to be p.o. at Mother Nature, suggest seeking an adviser for early retirement, jack.

Focusing on the surgery and NOT the rehab in front of you, will increase exponentially, your back on the bump time, joe.

Backstop

What arm did you have operated on?

Pictures I have seen on other sites show your left arm

my name is neither jack, nor joe sir, nor do do i get on the bump. please do some research to support your arguement next time please jimmy

Not sure if you are the youth or the parent (since I have observed both using the handle).

Let's simply close this out with the
statement ....let the youth do the research,
while my 6 inch elbow scar will be my experience.

......jack