I read where a 17 year old kid in ohio had this surgery. Can you come back strong from this type of surgery? Would his age matter in recovery?
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To start off with, my son had Tommy John just after turning eighteen. Dr Andrews was his surgeon and this is some of what I learned from talking to him.
Tommy John surgery is for REPAIR and repair only. The surgery isn't performed for the enhancement of an uninjured arm. The reason why a pitcher throws harder sometimes after the surgery is because of the rehab after the surgery. He also told me Tommy John isn't a sure fire cure for all damaged ulnar collateral ligaments. I believe he said he had an 80% success rate and I would think that is pretty good.
Right now my son appears to have had a successful surgery but he followed the rehab program to the letter. Rehab seems to play a big part in the recovery.
Tommy John surgery is for REPAIR and repair only. The surgery isn't performed for the enhancement of an uninjured arm. The reason why a pitcher throws harder sometimes after the surgery is because of the rehab after the surgery. He also told me Tommy John isn't a sure fire cure for all damaged ulnar collateral ligaments. I believe he said he had an 80% success rate and I would think that is pretty good.
Right now my son appears to have had a successful surgery but he followed the rehab program to the letter. Rehab seems to play a big part in the recovery.
InTheMit is correct. You have probably listen to people joke about the surgery because it has been so effective. It really has changed the sport. Once a career ending injury, is now 80-85% fixable. However, I can't imagine any Orthopod doing surgery on a healthy arm. (Just be glad you live in the 21st century Lefty.)