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
Cite this Entry
“Tommy John surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tommy%20John%20surgery. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.
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