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 right-hander began a rehab assignment Tuesday in Double-A Portland, 13 months after having Tommy John surgery. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Pérez missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow with an internal brace. — Brandon Liguori, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2026

For most baseball players, having to undergo Tommy John surgery would seem to be the lowest of lows for the year. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Clarke Schmidt, working his way back from Tommy John surgery and transitioning from starter to reliever, began a rehab assignment over the weekend and expects to be an option before the season is over. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

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