Major League Baseball Pitching Performance after Tommy John Surgery and the effect of Tear Characteristics, Technique, and Graft Type

Objectives: Return to play and player satisfaction has been quite high after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), however, there has been little reported on how outcomes are affected by surgical technique, graft type and tear characteristics. The purpose was to evaluate surgical techniques, graft type and tear characteristics on MLB performance after UCLR. Methods: MLB pitchers that underwent primary UCLR at a single institution were included. Tear characteristics included tear location, tear grade and acuity. Surgical technique and graft type was also collected. Pitching performance statistics, including earned run average (ERA), Walks hits per innings pitched (WHIP), innings pitched, and fastball velocity were evaluated 3 years pre- and post-UCLR. Results: 46 MLB pitchers were identified having primary UCLR. Return to play was 96%, with 82% returning to MLB play. Technique performed showed no difference in performance. Pitchers with palmaris grafts were younger (p=0.043), played longer after surgery (p=0.007), and returned to play at 100% (35/35) vs. 82% (9/11) of gracilis grafts (p=0.011). Pitchers with distal tears pitched at higher velocity (93.0 vs. 90.6 mph)(p=0.023) and had better performance (ERA, p=0.003; WHIP, p=0.003) prior to surgery, with proximal tears improving to match this performance and velocity after reconstructionhigher . Pitchers with complete tears played longer after surgery (5.9 vs. 4.0 years)(p=0.033), had better ERA (p=0.041) prior to injury and better WHIP (p=0.037) and strikeouts/9 innings (p=0.025) after reconstruction vs. partial tears. Chronic tears had a significant improvement in ERA from 4.49 to 3.80 (p=0.040) postoperatively. Conclusion: Technique performed and graft type used did not affect performance, however, palmaris grafts returned at a higher rate than gracilis grafts. Distal tears occurred in pitchers with greater velocity and better performance prior to injury with proximal tears matching this performance after reconstruction. Pitchers with complete tears played longer after reconstruction. Pitchers who had partial tears had worse performance prior to injury and after reconstruction and chronic tears saw a significant improvement in ERA with reconstruction.

Download Full-text

Major League Baseball Pitching Performance After Tommy John Surgery and the Effect of Tear Characteristics, Technique, and Graft Type

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546518817750 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 713-720 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nathan E. Marshall ◽

Robert Keller ◽

Orr Limpisvasti ◽

Brian Schulz ◽

Neal ElAttrache

Keyword(s):

Surgical Technique ◽

Major League Baseball ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Return To Play ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Partial Tears ◽

Major League ◽

Before And After ◽

Performance Statistics

Background: Return to play and player satisfaction have been quite high after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR); however, there has been little reported on how outcomes are affected by surgical technique, graft type, and tear characteristics. Purpose: To evaluate surgical techniques, graft type, and tear characteristics on Major League Baseball (MLB) performance after UCLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: MLB pitchers who underwent primary UCLR at a single institution were included. Tear characteristics included tear location, tear grade, and acuity. Surgical technique and graft type were also collected. Pitching performance statistics, including earned run average (ERA), walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP), innings pitched, and fastball velocity were evaluated 3 years before and after UCLR. Results: Forty-six MLB pitchers were identified as having primary UCLR. Return to play was 96%, with 82% returning to MLB play. Technique performed showed no difference in performance. As compared with pitchers with gracilis grafts, pitchers with palmaris grafts were younger ( P = .043), played longer after surgery ( P = .012), and returned to play at 100% (35 of 35) versus 82% (9 of 11, P = .010). When compared with pitchers with proximal tears, pitchers with distal tears pitched at higher velocity (93.0 vs 90.6 mph, P = .023) and had better performance before surgery (ERA, P = .003; WHIP, P = .021); however, those with proximal tears improved to match this performance and velocity after reconstruction. As compared with those having partial tears, pitchers with complete tears played longer after surgery (5.9 vs 4.0 years, P = .033), had a better ERA before injury ( P = .041), and had better WHIP ( P = .037) and strikeouts per 9 innings ( P = .025) after reconstruction. Pitchers with chronic tears had a significant improvement in postoperative ERA, from 4.49 to 3.80 ( P = .040). Conclusion: Technique performed and graft type used did not affect performance; however, pitchers with palmaris grafts returned at a higher rate than those with gracilis grafts. Distal tears occurred in pitchers with greater velocity and better performance before injury, yet pitchers with proximal tears matched this performance after reconstruction. Pitchers with complete tears played longer after reconstruction. Pitchers who had partial tears had worse performance before injury and after reconstruction, and those with chronic tears saw a significant improvement in ERA with reconstruction.

Download Full-text

Return to Play and In-Game Performance Statistics Among Pitchers After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow: A Systematic Review

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546518798768 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (8) ◽

pp. 2003-2010 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ryan P. Coughlin ◽

Chetan Gohal ◽

Nolan S. Horner ◽

Ajaykumar Shanmugaraj ◽

Nicole Simunovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Return To Play ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

The Mean ◽

Performance Statistics ◽

Game Performance ◽

Mean Time

Background: Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is relatively common among baseball pitchers. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has revolutionized the management of this injury, allowing a greater proportion of pitchers to return to play. Purpose: To assess the return to play and in-game performance specific to baseball pitchers who have undergone primary UCLR. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched for relevant studies, and pertinent data were abstracted. Only studies reporting in-game performance statistics (earned run average [ERA], pitching velocity, innings pitched per season, etc) of pitchers after UCLR were included. The methodological index for nonrandomized studies (MINORS) was used to assess study quality. Results: A total of 14 studies and 1520 pitchers were included in this systematic review. All studies were of level 3 or 4 evidence, and the mean ± SD MINORS score was 14.4 ± 3.0, which indicates fair quality of evidence for nonrandomized studies. The rates of return to any level of pitching after UCLR ranged from 79% to 100%. Subgroup analysis revealed that 79% to 87% of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers returned to preinjury levels of pitching. The mean time to return to play was 19.8 ± 13.5 months, and the mean time to return to competition for MLB pitchers was 17.3 ± 2.4 months. Of the 5 studies reporting ERA, 2 cited a significant increase after UCLR, and 1 indicated a significant decrease. Of the 4 studies reporting fastball velocity, 3 cited decreased pitching velocities after UCLR. All studies found that pitchers pitched, on average, fewer innings per game or season after UCLR. Conclusion: There was a high rate of return to pitching after UCLR. However, most studies showed that UCLR was associated with a prolonged recovery and significant decline in pitching performance as objectively measured by in-game statistics. The strength of these conclusions is limited by the quality of the available literature and inconsistencies in the reporting of outcomes.

Download Full-text

Effect of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction on Pitch Accuracy, Velocity, and Movement in Major League Baseball Pitchers

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120968530 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 232596712096853

Author(s):

Braden McKnight ◽

Nathanael D. Heckmann ◽

Xiao T. Chen ◽

Kevork Hindoyan ◽

J. Ryan Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Major League Baseball ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Poor Performance ◽

Return To Play ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Major League ◽

The Mean ◽

Performance Statistics

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is frequently performed on Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. Previous studies have investigated the effects of UCL reconstruction on fastball and curveball velocity, but no study to date has evaluated its effect on fastball accuracy or curveball movement among MLB pitchers. Purpose/Hypothesis: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of UCL reconstruction on fastball accuracy, fastball velocity, and curveball movement in MLB pitchers. Our hypothesis was that MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction would return to their presurgery fastball velocity, fastball accuracy, and curveball movement. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine which factors, if any, were predictive of poor performance after UCL reconstruction. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction surgery between 2011 and 2012 were identified. Performance data including fastball velocity, fastball accuracy, and curveball movement were evaluated 1 year preoperatively and up to 3 years of play postoperatively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance with a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test was used to determine statistically significant changes in performance over time. Characteristic factors and presurgery performance statistics were compared between poor performers (>20% decrease in fastball accuracy) and non—poor performers. Results: We identified 56 pitchers with a total of 230,995 individual pitches for this study. After exclusion for lack of return to play (n = 14) and revision surgery (n = 3), 39 pitchers were included in the final analysis. The mean presurgery fastball pitch-to-target distance was 32.9 cm. There was a statistically significant decrease in fastball accuracy after reconstruction, which was present up to 3 years postoperatively ( P = .007). The mean presurgery fastball velocity of 91.82 mph did not significantly change after surgery ( P = .194). The mean presurgery curveball movement of 34.49 cm vertically and 5.89 cm horizontally also did not change significantly ( P = .937 and .161, respectively). Conclusion: Fastball accuracy among MLB pitchers significantly decreased after UCL reconstruction for up to 3 years postoperatively. There were no statistically significant differences in characteristic factors or presurgery performance statistics between poor and non--poor performers.

Download Full-text

Performance, Return to Play, and Career Longevity After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Catchers

Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.arthro.2018.01.008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 1809-1815 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Nathan E. Marshall ◽

Toufic R. Jildeh ◽

Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽

Fabien Meta ◽

Vincent A. Lizzio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Return To Play ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Career Longevity ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Download Full-text

Comparison of Outcomes Based on Graft Type and Tunnel Configuration for Primary Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Baseball Pitchers

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118s00087 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽

pp. 2325967118S0008

Author(s):

Timothy B. Griffith ◽

Christopher S. Ahmad ◽

Michael G. Ciccotti ◽

John D’Angelo ◽

Joshua S. Dines ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ligament Reconstruction ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽

Return To Play ◽

Professional Baseball ◽

Reconstruction Technique ◽

Collateral Ligament ◽

Baseball Players ◽

Elbow Surgery ◽

Baseball Pitchers ◽

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Objectives: Professional baseball pitchers are at high risk for tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow, often requiring subsequent surgical reconstruction. Despite acceptable published return to play outcomes, multiple techniques and graft types have been described. There is a paucity of clinical data in the current literature comparing UCL reconstruction surgical technique and graft type. Even less is known about the risks for subsequent injury, surgery, or revision UCL reconstruction. Accordingly, this study compares UCL reconstruction outcomes based on tunnel configuration and graft type. Methods: Following approval from our institutional review board and Major League Baseball (MLB), 566 professional baseball pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2010 and 2014 were identified and included. The following patient demographics were analyzed: age, pitching role (starter vs. reliever), level of play (MLB vs. Minor League Baseball [MiLB]), and throwing side dominance. Surgical factors analyzed included reconstruction technique (Docking vs. Modified Jobe), graft type (palmaris longus autograft vs. gracilis autograft), and concomitant procedures. Primary outcome measures consisted of: the ability to return to play at any level (RTP), to return to the same level of play (RSL), the time to return, subsequent elbow injuries, and the need for subsequent or revision elbow surgery. The impact of the patient and surgical factors on outcomes were analyzed using multivariate linear and logistic regression modeling. Results: The overall RTP was 79.9% and RSL was 71.2%. There were no significant differences in the time to RTP or RSL based on reconstruction technique or graft type. RTP rates were similar for the Docking vs. Modified Jobe techniques (80.1% vs. 82.4%; p=0.537) and for the two primary graft types (83.1% for palmaris vs. 80.7% for gracilis; p=0.596). The risk of subsequent elbow surgery was 10.5% for the Docking Technique vs. 14.8% for the Modified Jobe (p=0.203); and the risk for subsequent UCL revision reconstruction surgery was 2.9% vs. 6.2% for the Docking vs. Modified Jobe Techniques, respectively (p=0.128). Significant trends towards an increasing use of palmaris autograft (p=0.023) and the docking technique (p=0.006) were observed. MLB pitchers were more likely than MiLB pitchers to RTP (p<0.001) and to RSL (p<0.001), but they required a longer time to return (mean difference 35 days; p=0.039), had a higher likelihood of subsequent elbow (OR 3.58; 95% CI 2.055 to 6.231; p<0.001) and forearm injuries (OR 5.695; 95% CI 1.99 to 16.302; p=0.004), but not subsequent elbow surgery. No specific variables were noted to be predictive of subsequent elbow or revision surgery in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Surgical outcomes in professional baseball players are not significantly influenced by ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction technique or graft type usage. Major League players are more likely to RTP and RSL, but they have a higher frequency of subsequent elbow and forearm injuries. Both the Docking Technique and palmaris autograft are increasing in popularity amongst surgeons treating professional baseball players.

Download Full-text