For many years, Tommy John surgical procedure has been intently related to baseball pitchers. However the process just isn’t completely a baseball operation. The surgical procedure—extra formally often called ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction—can be utilized for athletes in a wide range of sports activities, together with fight sports activities.
That raises an fascinating query for MMA fighters that suffer severe elbow accidents: Can Tommy John surgical procedure work for an expert fighter, and might an MMA athlete return to the Octagon afterward?
The brief reply is sure, in the precise circumstances—however MMA presents some distinctive challenges that make restoration totally different from that of a baseball participant.
What Is Tommy John Surgical procedure?
Tommy John surgical procedure reconstructs a torn UCL, the ligament positioned on the within of the elbow that helps stabilize the joint. Through the process, a surgeon usually makes use of a tendon graft taken from elsewhere within the athlete’s physique—or, in some instances, a donor graft—to interchange the broken ligament.
The process was first carried out in 1974 by Dr. Frank Jobe on Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John. John returned to Main League Baseball and went on to win extra video games after the surgical procedure than he had earlier than it, serving to set up the process as one of the crucial vital developments in sports activities drugs.
In the present day, UCL reconstruction is taken into account a extremely profitable operation for appropriately chosen athletes. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that roughly 80% of athletes in lots of research are in a position to compete once more at their earlier degree following reconstruction.
Why Would an MMA Fighter Want It?
MMA fighters don’t topic their elbows to the identical repetitive throwing movement as baseball pitchers, however their UCLs can nonetheless be positioned beneath super stress.
Punching, grappling, wrestling, posting on the mat, defending takedowns and submissions can all place pressure by way of the elbow. A fighter also can undergo an acute UCL damage when the arm is compelled past its regular vary of movement.
Importantly, medical specialists acknowledge that UCL accidents can happen in wrestlers and different contact athletes, not simply baseball gamers. Mayo Clinic particularly identifies wrestlers, soccer gamers, gymnasts and different contact athletes amongst those that can undergo UCL accidents.
For an MMA fighter, a major UCL tear can result in ache, instability and problem producing or absorbing pressure by way of the arm.
Does the Surgical procedure Really Work for MMA?
That is the place the reply turns into extra sophisticated.
There’s sturdy proof that UCL reconstruction can permit athletes to return to aggressive sports activities. Nonetheless, many of the giant research on Tommy John surgical procedure contain baseball gamers and different throwing athletes—not skilled MMA fighters.
That distinction issues.
A baseball pitcher primarily wants the reconstructed elbow to tolerate the forces related to throwing. An MMA fighter wants an elbow that may stand up to a much wider vary of unpredictable forces.
A fighter could must:
Throw punches at full powerDefend takedownsPost towards the cage or matFight by way of grappling exchangesAbsorb strikesExtend and flex the elbow repeatedlyDefend submissionsUse the arm to assist physique weight
Consequently, a profitable UCL reconstruction doesn’t robotically imply an athlete is able to struggle MMA.
Restoration Can Take a Lengthy Time
One of many greatest obstacles for a fighter is the rehabilitation timeline.
Johns Hopkins Medication says athletes could require 9 months to a yr—or longer—to return to competitors following Tommy John surgical procedure. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says full restoration following UCL reconstruction can take roughly 12 to 18 months.
That could be a vital period of time for an MMA fighter to spend away from competitors.
And returning to competitors just isn’t essentially the identical factor as returning to the fighter’s earlier degree.
A scientific evaluate of MLB pitchers discovered that 80% to 97% returned to play after main UCL reconstruction, however solely 67% to 87% returned to the identical degree of play, with that course of usually taking round 15 months.
These numbers shouldn’t be straight utilized to MMA fighters, however they illustrate an vital level: profitable surgical procedure is barely the start of the comeback.
MMA Might Really Check the Elbow In a different way
There’s one other main distinction between baseball and MMA.
A pitcher can comply with a rigorously managed throwing program throughout rehabilitation. An MMA fighter finally has to return to an atmosphere the place an opponent is actively attempting to control the injured joint.
That makes the ultimate phases of rehabilitation significantly vital.
A fighter can’t merely reveal that they’ll transfer their elbow usually or hit pads. They should show that the reconstructed ligament and surrounding musculature can tolerate the unpredictable calls for of wrestling and grappling.
Returning too rapidly will be harmful. Johns Hopkins notes that putting extreme stress on the graft earlier than it has healed can enhance the danger of failure.
Not Each UCL Harm Requires Tommy John Surgical procedure
Maybe crucial level is {that a} UCL damage doesn’t robotically imply a fighter wants Tommy John surgical procedure.
Therapy will depend on the severity and placement of the tear, the athlete’s signs, elbow stability and aggressive targets.
Some accidents will be handled with relaxation, rehabilitation and strengthening. In sure instances, a surgeon could suggest repairing the present ligament reasonably than utterly reconstructing it. Fashionable procedures also can incorporate an “inner brace” in chosen sufferers.
For an MMA fighter, the choice ought to subsequently be based mostly on the particular damage reasonably than merely the need to return to competitors as rapidly as doable.
So, Can an MMA Fighter Come Again From Tommy John Surgical procedure?
Completely.
However the higher query isn’t whether or not Tommy John surgical procedure “works.” It’s whether or not the surgical procedure, rehabilitation and eventual return-to-training course of can restore sufficient stability and power for the person fighter to securely stand up to the calls for of MMA.
The accessible medical proof exhibits that UCL reconstruction can produce sturdy return-to-sport leads to athletes. Analysis additionally confirms that UCL accidents happen in touch sports activities, together with wrestling.
What stays much less sure is the particular long-term success charge amongst skilled MMA fighters, as a result of the scientific literature is way extra intensive for baseball and different throwing sports activities.
For a fighter, persistence could in the end be simply as vital because the surgical procedure itself. A reconstructed elbow wants time to heal, whereas the muscular tissues surrounding the joint have to be rebuilt and the athlete should step by step reintroduce placing, wrestling and grappling.
The Backside Line
Tommy John surgical procedure isn’t a magic reset button, and it isn’t particularly designed for MMA. However as a result of the process reconstructs a ligament that gives vital stability to the elbow, it might probably doubtlessly be a career-saving possibility for an MMA fighter with a severe UCL damage.
The street again, nonetheless, is lengthy.
For an athlete whose livelihood will depend on with the ability to punch, grapple and struggle by way of excessive positions, the aim shouldn’t merely be getting again into the Octagon as rapidly as doable. The aim must be getting again wholesome sufficient to remain there.
This text is for informational functions solely and isn’t medical recommendation. The suitable therapy for an MMA elbow damage must be decided by a professional orthopedic or sports-medicine skilled.
