Treatment of Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Elbow with Use of the “Tommy John” Operation: Indications and Results

Abstract

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury was first reported in a group of javelin throwers in 19461. Since that observation, MCL injuries have become well recognized in baseball players, most commonly in pitchers, along with other overhead throwing athletes. Prior to the introduction of MCL reconstruction, MCL injury was regarded as a career-ending injury for throwers. Initial operative attempts involved anterior transfer of the anterior oblique ligament to augment the remaining attenuated MCL2. This strategy was non-isometric, leading to limited extension, and weakened an already damaged ligament, resulting in unsatisfactory results. Another surgical strategy was to repair the MCL3 …