How a Tommy John surgery works
The elbow
Humerus
Radius
Olecranon
Ulna
Ulnar nerve
Anterior bundle
Posterior bundle
Intermediate bundle
Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)
The procedure
First, holes are drilled in the ulna and humerus to secure the graft where the UCL naturally attaches.
A graft from another tendon and sutures are woven into the tunnels in the bones.
The graft is anchored where it passes through the two holes in the ulna...
...and secured in the humerus
The original injury in the UCL is also repaired with a suture to further strengthen the joint. The graft is secured with sutures and the incision in the elbow is stitched back together.
The elbow
Humerus
Radius
Olecranon
Ulna
Ulnar nerve
Anterior bundle
Posterior bundle
Intermediate bundle
Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)
The procedure
First, holes are drilled in the ulna and humerus to secure the graft where the UCL naturally attaches.
A graft from another tendon and sutures are woven into the tunnels in the bones.
The graft is anchored where it passes through the two holes in the ulna...
...and secured in the humerus
The original injury in the UCL is also repaired with a suture to further strengthen the joint. The graft is secured with sutures and the incision in the elbow is stitched back together.
The elbow
The procedure
First, holes are drilled in the ulna and humerus to secure the graft where the UCL naturally attaches.
The graft is anchored where it passes through the two holes in the ulna...
Humerus
Radius
Olecranon
Ulna
...and secured in the humerus
Posterior bundle
Anterior bundle
Ulnar nerve
The original injury in the UCL is also repaired with a suture to further strengthen the joint. The graft is secured with sutures and the incision in the elbow is stitched back together.
A graft from another tendon and sutures are woven into the tunnels in the bones.
Intermediate bundle
Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)
