'Explosion' of Tommy John surgery, elbow injuries in young athletes, doctor says

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Doctors say more and more athletes are in need of Tommy John surgery for elbow injuries, a procedure previously reserved for professionals.

Specialists from Midwest Orthopedics at RUSH University Medical Center are concerned about what they called an explosion of cases."It was very like sad to hear. You always hear about it. I've had many friends that have had it. And you always hear, oh everyone has it, but you don't realize that could happen to you until they say it," he said.

"It felt like there was almost like a rope in my elbow and it just kind of like pulled apart, and I didn't know what exactly it was," he said. Tony's doctor, Dr. Mark Cohen, is also a White Sox team physician. He said a third of all major league pitchers have had Tommy John surgery. Dr. Cohen said the fastest growing segment of patients needing Tommy John surgery are 15- to 19-year-olds. He said the common theme is overuse from single sport specialization and year-round throwing.

 

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