Why More Teens Are Undergoing Tommy John Surgery
Why Are So Many Youth Baseball Pitchers Getting Tommy John Surgery?
David was 15.
A national travel ball pitcher.
Mid-80s fastball. Pro dreams.
But one pitch changed everything.
He tore his UCL.
The same surgery that once only applied to professionals—Tommy John—has become disturbingly common among young athletes. I see it in my clinic every week.
Let’s break down why.
What Is Tommy John Surgery and Why Is It So Common in Youth Athletes?
Tommy John surgery reconstructs the UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) using a tendon from another part of the body.
Once rare, this procedure is now routine in players as young as 13.
That should be alarming.
The Real Causes: Not Just “Throwing Too Much”
It’s not just about pitch count—although that matters.
It’s about:
Year-round baseball with no offseason
Pressure to increase velocity too soon
Early specialization before full development
Especially in hotbeds like Southern California, the system pushes too hard, too fast.
David’s Decision: Hang Up the Cleats or Fight Back
David had two options:
Quit… or go through surgery and the long recovery.
He chose to fight.
And I’ve been with him every step of the way—from surgery through his 7-month recovery and return-to-throwing plan.
It’s not easy. It’s physical. It’s mental.
But it’s possible.
Tommy John Prevention Guidelines for Youth Pitchers
These guidelines exist—they’re just often ignored:
Max 95–105 pitches/game (depending on age)
Strict rest periods between outings
Only throw breaking balls after mechanical consistency
No more than one game pitched per day
Four months off from competitive pitching annually
Follow these—and most UCL tears are preventable.
It’s Not Just About Playing Hard—It’s About Recovering Smart
You can’t expect to throw like a pro if you don’t recover like one.
That’s where proper arm care, strength training, and recovery routines come in.
I give all my pitchers a pre-throwing arm care guide to protect their elbow and shoulder—and we make adjustments based on their individual mechanics.
If you want to learn more about youth athletes and their recovery and training, then you might be interested in these articles:
