Media perceptions of Tommy John surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Media Studies

Background:

• Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, commonly known as Tommy John Surgery, is increasingly prevalent in professional baseball.
• Media coverage significantly influences public perception of UCL injuries and surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess media perceptions of UCL injury causes, surgical indications, benefits, risks, and rehabilitation.
• To identify potential misconceptions among baseball media professionals regarding UCL reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey study involving 516 members of the Major League Baseball (MLB) media.
• The survey assessed perceptions of UCL injury risk factors, indications, surgical outcomes, and rehabilitation protocols.

Main Results:

• Significant misconceptions were found: 45% were unsure if an elbow injury was a prerequisite for UCL reconstruction, and 25% believed performance enhancement was the primary indication.
• Many media members overestimated return-to-play timelines (51.2% believed return occurred within 12 months) and underestimated the importance of pitch counts for injury prevention (48.4%).
• Twenty percent of respondents incorrectly believed pitching velocity increased post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Misconceptions regarding UCL reconstruction are prevalent within the professional baseball media.
• Physician education is recommended to address inaccuracies concerning overuse injuries, indications, outcomes, and recovery associated with Tommy John Surgery.