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My older son is a freshman pitcher in D3 college. Just found out he has a grade 2 sprain of the UCL. Season over before it even started and most likely next season due to the recovery time.  Obviously we’re bummed out to say the least. His coach is very supportive so that makes it a bit easier.  We’ve gotten a couple opinions and decided to have surgery. It is scheduled for this upcoming week so I’m looking for any feedback or advice from parents and/or players with recent knowledge regarding TJS. Reconstruction process, recovery, rehab and obviously what the future may hold. Kid worked really hard his high school years to make it to the next level. He’s just hoping he’ll be able to compete again one day. 

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Full repair? Yes. We had two options. Addition of a plate (not the correct medical term) to assist the ligament or a full repair. We chose the full. Although the recovery time is longer, 12-14 months compared to the partial, 9-10 months, it will allow him to gradually recondition himself next summer in order to be a ready for fall

MJL, so sorry to hear that about your son.  Our son, was a HS Junior last year and was injured so after several opinions had the Full TJ performed at the Andrews Clinic in Birmingham early last May by Lyle Cain.  Highly, highly recommend the Andrews clinic and Dr. Cain.  Son has progressed very well, but it does not come without significant commitment for sure.  The PT, daily exercises, and commitment to the rehab and throwing program are certainly keys which our son has followed to a tee and very proud of him for that.  In the last couple weeks he actually threw about 15 pitches in game action and on schedule per Dr. Cain's office.  The biggest challenge now is the "mental struggle" son has as his arm is sore, but to be expected.  It's the new norm for a long while as Dr. Cain and others we have talked to with TJ have said son will experience that.  Dr. Cain did say it would be 14-16 months before son is back to 100%, but the gradual uptick in pitch count for each outing and just taking it slow his senior year to get strength back in the elbow.  Again, mental challenges have been tough for son, but he's talked to a couple guys who had TJ and their experience and that, I must say, was probably the best medicine for him to hear that from someone that walked in his shoes already.   One of the guys, Clark Schmidt, is a former pitcher in our high school and he was drafted (while he was recovering from TJ) 16th overall a couple years ago by the New York Yankees and spoke with our son on the phone last week.  Clark really provided some guidance and confidence during that call so know that if this surgery is going to happen for your son know that he can overcome this and be better than ever.  Good luck to you and esp. your son.  

MIDATLANTICDAD, thank you for the information. Yes as far as the internal brace goes, that’s the same thing our doctor had stated. Has had “some” success but just hasn’t been around long enough to have a thorough idea of how successful. Certainly the slightly shorter recovery time frame was a point of interest for us but where it would end up and when next season would start wouldn’t really allow for a full healthy recovery due to the urge to pitch again. The full repair will allow my son to gradually ease into activity’s over the summer, ramp up in to the fall, hopefully be ready by 2021. Patience and mental toughness will be challenged over the next many months

MJL posted:

MIDATLANTICDAD, thank you for the information. Yes as far as the internal brace goes, that’s the same thing our doctor had stated. Has had “some” success but just hasn’t been around long enough to have a thorough idea of how successful. Certainly the slightly shorter recovery time frame was a point of interest for us but where it would end up and when next season would start wouldn’t really allow for a full healthy recovery due to the urge to pitch again. The full repair will allow my son to gradually ease into activity’s over the summer, ramp up in to the fall, hopefully be ready by 2021. Patience and mental toughness will be challenged over the next many months

I know it can be a grueling recovery, but many benefit from the intense rehab and come back better prepared for success than before the surgery. All the best to your son.

It seems like a lifetime when it happens, but the time does fly by.  My advice is to try to focus on turning the negative into a positive as best as you can... taking the time away from competition to strengthen his shoulders, forearm, core, legs, taking breaks from baseball, work on a new pitch during his recovery pens, getting a part-time job, focus on studies, etc.   But it is a long journey.  My son's recovery was fairly standard I'd say.  We decided to delay the throwing by a month and focused on an 18 month recovery (since he had the surgery in the fall and we had the time).  Only soreness was a knot in his tricep which went away pretty quickly.   Still scary though when any bumps happen.  He is now 18 months removed, throwing effortless pens, and feeling really strong.  Command and feel are both back its seems but velocity is not totally back as yet.  I think its common for them to be reluctant to let it out.  (if anyone has experience in this aspect of the recovery i'd be interested)  This reluctance combined with ironing out mechanics and just working through the rust I'd surmise is the cause.  He still has a month before the season starts so hopefully things continue to progress.  My son's main struggle was the change in routine, which in retrospect, seems to have hurt his academics, confidence, and friendships (he was away from teammates in multiple sports).  Also, he was about to make his college decision at that time which only heightened the fears and doubts about the future.  With the season upon us, those struggles have largely dissipated.  Best of luck to your son.  He will be back before you know it.  

GLOFISHER, that’s great feedback. I really appreciate it. My son has already looked into workouts etc that he can do minus the use of his arm. He’s been playing for so long that yes this will give him a different perspective for being removed for a year+. He’s always had a strong mental game on the mound so with the addition of long term rest, strong mindset to overcome and the focus of getting the ball again one day, this could really be turned into positive to help him grow and mature as a ball player and young adult. 

Also still interested in more feedback on the recovery steps/milestones that occur along this road. 

Good luck to you / your son!....our experience is a lot of success has to do with the experience, and technique the Dr. uses....IMO there is a big difference from an ortho that "can" do it, versus to a guy that does many, many every year.  Once the surgeon / surgery is a success, it's all about the rehab process, and which route you take.  My son skipped (gap year) his Frosh year of college, and instead spent the equivalent of a Fall / Spring semester at Driveline Baseball (Seattle area) to rehab, then train, and then back to throwing....was a daily grind, but he loved it.  This was his first time away from home (live in Texas), and he had to grow up quick.  He is not quite 18 months post TJ, and now throwing in college, however just recently had another (hopefully) small set back, which is par for the course up until about the 24 month mark. 

 

Mentally it can be challenging for some depending on the mental make-up of the young man...it is a lonely, sometimes grueling process, where at times you don't think you are making any progress at all..lots of plateaus, and for some set-backs along the way....however it is very doable.

MJL posted:

MIDATLANTICDAD, thank you for the information. Yes as far as the internal brace goes, that’s the same thing our doctor had stated. Has had “some” success but just hasn’t been around long enough to have a thorough idea of how successful. Certainly the slightly shorter recovery time frame was a point of interest for us but where it would end up and when next season would start wouldn’t really allow for a full healthy recovery due to the urge to pitch again. The full repair will allow my son to gradually ease into activity’s over the summer, ramp up in to the fall, hopefully be ready by 2021. Patience and mental toughness will be challenged over the next many months

For what it's worth, my 2019 had Primary Repair done Sept 2017 by Dr. Jeff Dugas at Andrews in Birmingham. Everything went well and he's now throwing harder than before. He was back on the mound in about 6 months. Highly recommend getting Dugas to do it if you do reconsider. Best of luck and PM me with any questions.

I feel like we have a really good doctor. He’s part of the Balt. Orioles medical team and has very good reviews/recommendations. Obviously we’ve done research prior to moving forward. Surgery is scheduled for Friday. A little nervous to say the least but the information you guys have posted in this thread is much appreciated and will definitely help guide us on this journey. I’ll try and do some follow ups along the way post operation.  Thank you again!

MJL posted:

I feel like we have a really good doctor. He’s part of the Balt. Orioles medical team and has very good reviews/recommendations. Obviously we’ve done research prior to moving forward. Surgery is scheduled for Friday. A little nervous to say the least but the information you guys have posted in this thread is much appreciated and will definitely help guide us on this journey. I’ll try and do some follow ups along the way post operation.  Thank you again!

That’s awesome, it doesn’t seem that long ago when we were heading to the surgical center, wife and son went day ahead and hoteled it, and I met them in presurgery the morning of.  Best of luck to your son this Friday.   A few pics of jr first few days at Driveline- highly recommend for rehab, and return to throwing post TJ if at all an option, versus the traditional printed  booklet you get from most orthos. 

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