Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtä-mē-ˈjän- 

plural Tommy John surgeries

: a surgical procedure in which a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is replaced with a tendon graft typically obtained from a superficial muscle of the forearm : ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the medical director for the Cincinnati Reds, specializes in an elbow-ligament reconstruction procedure commonly known as Tommy John surgery, named for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who first underwent it, in 1974.

—Sara Corbett

But as an outfielder he hurt his throwing arm and had to have Tommy John surgery before the year was out.

—Kelli Anderson

Examples of Tommy John surgery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team’s recent first-round picks, right-handers Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, are also in contention for a spot, as is lefty Brandon Williamson, who is coming off Tommy John surgery. —C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

The 33-year-old Stewart has a long medical history that includes Tommy John surgery in 2021 and arthroscopic shoulder surgery in August 2024. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025

Standing in front of his locker the following afternoon, Ray reflected on the first full season under his belt since undergoing Tommy John surgery. —Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025

Manoah underwent Tommy John surgery and had not pitched this season in the big leagues. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after Tommy John (Thomas Edward John, Jr. born 1943), U.S. baseball player who underwent the surgery in 1974

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Tommy John surgery

• radiosurgery
• cryosurgery
• microsurgery
• neurosurgery
• psychosurgery
• perjury

Medical Definition

Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän- 

: ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction