In recent seasons, a small elbow ligament has had an outsized impact on the national pastime.
Over a third of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers have undergone ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction surgeries – known popularly as Tommy John surgery – according to tracking data by baseball data researcher Jon Roegele. The widespread impact of the record number of surgeries that require a long recovery window has sent players, physicians and the MLB looking for answers.
Thomas Noonan, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the head team physician for the Colorado Rockies, has seen the impact of UCL injuries firsthand, conducting Tommy John procedures for the franchise.
In the following Q&A, Noonan explores what he sees as causing these UCL injuries across all levels of baseball, why the current epidemic starts in Little League and what can be done to better protect the health of the sport and its players.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.