Comments on: My Tommy John Surgery Checkpoints http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/ Strength training, Personal training, Warbird Academy, DBSP, Bloomington IL Fri, 18 May 2012 13:42:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan Blewett http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-2982 Dan Blewett Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:35:15 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-2982 Hmmm. His decision to wait until 8 months to throw is a bit unorthodox, so I'm not sure what timetable he would be on...most start throwing at 3-4 months and doctors don't seem to think there's any additional benefit from waiting longer. I would assume more scar tissue would have formed in the absence of throwing, but I don't know. Really, his focus needs to be on progressive rehab. Though that's a vague statement on my part, he really just needs to start at the bottom of all those activities - throwing, strength training, conditioning, and slowly progress at each as tolerated; that's rehab. I mixed in everything I could when I was allowed by my doctors; for me, I had a very liberal rehab program so I was able to start lots of strengthening things extra early, and I did well. I did as much as I could with all of it without overtraining on any; it's a balancing act. To have him throw competitively 6 months after starting throwing is going to be tough. Most guys at 9 months on a normal rehab plan (3 months not throwing + 6 months progressive throwing) have 90-100% of their velocity back but little stamina, control, feel for location or breaking pitches. It varies person to person, but the throwing progression doesn't have much room to work on the feel that throwing accurately with ALL pitches requires. I really didn't have my true "stuff" back until about 14 months post-op, which was 11 months of throwing. I could throw my offspeed pitches at 9 months, but they, along with my location, were just flat out not good. I realize I haven't answered your questions except for vague generalities, but unfortunately the question isn't that precise; a lot of it depends and a lot of it is just starting slow with all of it and progressing. Good luck. Hmmm. His decision to wait until 8 months to throw is a bit unorthodox, so I’m not sure what timetable he would be on…most start throwing at 3-4 months and doctors don’t seem to think there’s any additional benefit from waiting longer. I would assume more scar tissue would have formed in the absence of throwing, but I don’t know.

Really, his focus needs to be on progressive rehab. Though that’s a vague statement on my part, he really just needs to start at the bottom of all those activities – throwing, strength training, conditioning, and slowly progress at each as tolerated; that’s rehab. I mixed in everything I could when I was allowed by my doctors; for me, I had a very liberal rehab program so I was able to start lots of strengthening things extra early, and I did well. I did as much as I could with all of it without overtraining on any; it’s a balancing act.

To have him throw competitively 6 months after starting throwing is going to be tough. Most guys at 9 months on a normal rehab plan (3 months not throwing + 6 months progressive throwing) have 90-100% of their velocity back but little stamina, control, feel for location or breaking pitches. It varies person to person, but the throwing progression doesn’t have much room to work on the feel that throwing accurately with ALL pitches requires. I really didn’t have my true “stuff” back until about 14 months post-op, which was 11 months of throwing. I could throw my offspeed pitches at 9 months, but they, along with my location, were just flat out not good.

I realize I haven’t answered your questions except for vague generalities, but unfortunately the question isn’t that precise; a lot of it depends and a lot of it is just starting slow with all of it and progressing. Good luck.

]]> By: PeterD http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-2978 PeterD Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:09:42 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-2978 My son went through TJ last April down in Cincy. Great surgery result. He ws at 87 - 89 capping at 91 prior for a D2 Juco. Rehab has been hard. He just began throwing at the 8 month point as he switched colleges and did not want to rush it though it has been rough. He has been doing PT all along progressing well and began working out - lifting, core, legs and upper body. Need your take on what's the most important aspect to focus on as time is a scarce due to school : throwing, PT, lifting, core or aerobic...... Are there things he should over emphasize to bring back or increase velocity and develop stamina once he starts throwing more regularly ? His goal is to : 1) pitch in summer ball which would be at the 14 month point 2) make a D1 team in late August as a walk on down south. He would have multiple years if eligibility despite being a senior, A guess is that he would need to be maintaining 90ish velocity. He has always had a good curve and change. Thanks. Any comments and/or advice would be great.............thanks. My son went through TJ last April down in Cincy. Great surgery result. He ws at 87 – 89 capping at 91 prior for a D2 Juco. Rehab has been hard. He just began throwing at the 8 month point as he switched colleges and did not want to rush it though it has been rough. He has been doing PT all along progressing well and began working out – lifting, core, legs and upper body.

Need your take on what’s the most important aspect to focus on as time is a scarce due to school : throwing, PT, lifting, core or aerobic…… Are there things he should over emphasize to bring back or increase velocity and develop stamina once he starts throwing more regularly ? His goal is to : 1) pitch in summer ball which would be at the
14 month point 2) make a D1 team in late August as a walk on down south. He would have multiple years if eligibility despite being a senior, A guess is that he would need to be maintaining 90ish velocity. He has always had a good curve and change.

Thanks.

Any comments and/or advice would be great………….thanks.

]]> By: ptangherlini http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-1494 ptangherlini Mon, 09 May 2011 21:45:51 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-1494 my son john now is 15 months out and has just concluded playing for his college----he pitched a total of 8 times did extremly well at first it was tough because of the cold and then as it warmed up it went easier ----he even hit 94 mph in florida when it was 85 to 90 degrees ---but sat mostly between 89 and 92 on the scouts radar guns and the best is yet to come as his arm gets stronger and stronger --the soreness now only lasts a couple days which for a pitcher is normal after he is done pitching 7 to 9 innings 80 to 100 pitches and no pain ---thank god as he continues his arm is getting stronger ---the doctor said next year he will notice it even stronger but he said it feels pretty darn good now----o well i guess all that fuse for nothing but as you said before its better to be safe than sorry and get it checked out by the doctor great advice---thanks again----paul my son john now is 15 months out and has just concluded playing for his college—-he pitched a total of 8 times did extremly well at first it was tough because of the cold and then as it warmed up it went easier —-he even hit 94 mph in florida when it was 85 to 90 degrees —but sat mostly between 89 and 92 on the scouts radar guns and the best is yet to come as his arm gets stronger and stronger –the soreness now only lasts a couple days which for a pitcher is normal after he is done pitching 7 to 9 innings 80 to 100 pitches and no pain —thank god as he continues his arm is getting stronger —the doctor said next year he will notice it even stronger but he said it feels pretty darn good now—-o well i guess all that fuse for nothing but as you said before its better to be safe than sorry and get it checked out by the doctor great advice—thanks again—-paul

]]> By: Dan Blewett http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-1119 Dan Blewett Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:13:02 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-1119 Very typical. Every time he adds new things to the mix, whether it's the mound itself, more velocity, breaking pitches, game situations, he can expect a new reaction out of his elbow. When you do something new, the elbow isn't to it and it will sometimes be fine, sometimes get tight, sore, painful, or whatever, but it all seems to be part of the process. Most of them won't be cause for alarm, but always pay attention to it and back off if need be. He will continue to have this stuff possibly up to 14 months, and sometimes even longer. Very typical. Every time he adds new things to the mix, whether it’s the mound itself, more velocity, breaking pitches, game situations, he can expect a new reaction out of his elbow. When you do something new, the elbow isn’t to it and it will sometimes be fine, sometimes get tight, sore, painful, or whatever, but it all seems to be part of the process. Most of them won’t be cause for alarm, but always pay attention to it and back off if need be. He will continue to have this stuff possibly up to 14 months, and sometimes even longer.

]]> By: lana http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-1108 lana Wed, 16 Mar 2011 03:07:10 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-1108 my son had tommy john june, 2010, he progressed nicely through all the initial phases, he just began throwing off the mound and started bull pen sessions , first few times, he felt great, and just recently experienced tightness, he seems to think this is normal he is a division 1 college player, 6ft 4 in, 215 and threw about 90-92 before surgery, he was throwing hard last few sessions, and things look good, even breaking ball. Is this to be expected, they slowed him down, extra day rest with no throwing. Is this typical? my son had tommy john june, 2010, he progressed nicely through all the initial phases, he just began throwing off the mound and started bull pen sessions , first few times, he felt great, and just recently experienced tightness, he seems to think this is normal he is a division 1 college player, 6ft 4 in, 215 and threw about 90-92 before surgery, he was throwing hard last few sessions, and things look good, even breaking ball. Is this to be expected, they slowed him down, extra day rest with no throwing. Is this typical?

]]> By: paul tangherlini http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-984 paul tangherlini Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:05:11 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-984 i emailed you about my son having that pinching pain back in december but hear we are a few months later and its barley there if at all he said ---it must have been scare tissue breaking thru------we went to the doctors and he said work thru it keep throwing----- unless it gets that sore then just take time to let it rest which was your advise to and dont worry ----- his arm is very strong but gets sore kind of fast as he rebuilds his number of pitches that he can do---- is there any advice you can give him that will help him recover quicker from the sore arm----i mean he is doing his streches and arm excercise but is that all he can do or is there more and what is PRP injections what are they and are they safe for tommy john patients----i mean the doctor said for any tommy john patient the recovery takes a while because of the inflammation is that what the PRP injections do take away inflammation -----thanks you have been helpfull-----he is working very hard its been 13 months now----thank you i emailed you about my son having that pinching pain back in december but hear we are a few months later and its barley there if at all he said —it must have been scare tissue breaking thru——we went to the doctors and he said work thru it keep throwing—– unless it gets that sore then just take time to let it rest which was your advise to and dont worry —– his arm is very strong but gets sore kind of fast as he rebuilds his number of pitches that he can do—- is there any advice you can give him that will help him recover quicker from the sore arm—-i mean he is doing his streches and arm excercise but is that all he can do or is there more and what is PRP injections what are they and are they safe for tommy john patients—-i mean the doctor said for any tommy john patient the recovery takes a while because of the inflammation is that what the PRP injections do take away inflammation —–thanks you have been helpfull—–he is working very hard its been 13 months now—-thank you

]]> By: Dan Blewett http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-706 Dan Blewett Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:00:21 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-706 I didn't have lingering sharp pain like the pinching you describe, and it would have concerned me if I had. I think the best course of action is the consult with the doctor like you have planned to do - they will be able to get to the bottom of it. A lot of guys I've talked with had scar tissue break loose, had lingering pain and soreness that persisted for sometime. I also know that Danys Baez of the Orioles (his name is spelled weird) had elbow pain like what you're describing for a long time, and was really nagged by it, even 18 months later. He got over it, though, and throws gas. I've also heard that PRP injections work well for such injuries, so that may be something to discuss with your doctor as well. And yes, mental blocks with pain can make the symptoms worse; if he focuses on pain, the pain will increase. Hope that helps I didn’t have lingering sharp pain like the pinching you describe, and it would have concerned me if I had. I think the best course of action is the consult with the doctor like you have planned to do – they will be able to get to the bottom of it. A lot of guys I’ve talked with had scar tissue break loose, had lingering pain and soreness that persisted for sometime. I also know that Danys Baez of the Orioles (his name is spelled weird) had elbow pain like what you’re describing for a long time, and was really nagged by it, even 18 months later. He got over it, though, and throws gas. I’ve also heard that PRP injections work well for such injuries, so that may be something to discuss with your doctor as well. And yes, mental blocks with pain can make the symptoms worse; if he focuses on pain, the pain will increase. Hope that helps

]]> By: ptangherlini http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-693 ptangherlini Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:06:29 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-693 my son had tommy john surgery this year 1/13/2010 anyway hes 6ft 4inc 240 lbs a big boy he went threw his rehab pretty good but he always felt a pinching pain that was tolorable and tightness in the elbow the rehab guy and doctor both said that he would have to break threw this that it might be scarring ----he pitched at 9 to 10 months this past october about 9 innings in the fall for his college 50 to 60 throws each time --his velocity was at 90 already but a steady high 87 to 89 mph any way fall ball was done and the doctor suggested with his rehab guy to keep thrwoing once a week building it up anyway last week he threw leting a few go at 80 to 100% for 50 pitches his velocity is there everything is in the ninties but he said his elebow had that tightness and pinching pain a little more so we laid off it for a week and he threw 50 pitches a week later but he said it still there and it felt like crap and that pinching is still there to ------ what i want to know is this the normal or not ----i mean do a lot of guys that can throw hard go threw this ----we are going to see the doctor again i made an appointment and then the doctor can take a xray incase of any bone spurs ----but he took a lot of xrays along the way and said there were no bone spurs but one more wont hurt also i want a MRI which i told them to do but said we didnt need it well now i want it ------i mean hes ready to come back but its not going to do him any good if he keeps feeling that pinching unless its normal ----i think at this point it might be more mental than physical ----hes also been in the gym with a private trainer for the last 3 months ----i just want to see him pitch in college whats your advice on this my son had tommy john surgery this year 1/13/2010 anyway hes 6ft 4inc 240 lbs a big boy he went threw his rehab pretty good but he always felt a pinching pain that was tolorable and tightness in the elbow the rehab guy and doctor both said that he would have to break threw this that it might be scarring —-he pitched at 9 to 10 months this past october about 9 innings in the fall for his college 50 to 60 throws each time –his velocity was at 90 already but a steady high 87 to 89 mph any way fall ball was done and the doctor suggested with his rehab guy to keep thrwoing once a week building it up anyway last week he threw leting a few go at 80 to 100% for 50 pitches his velocity is there everything is in the ninties but he said his elebow had that tightness and pinching pain a little more so we laid off it for a week and he threw 50 pitches a week later but he said it still there and it felt like crap and that pinching is still there to —— what i want to know is this the normal or not —-i mean do a lot of guys that can throw hard go threw this —-we are going to see the doctor again i made an appointment and then the doctor can take a xray incase of any bone spurs —-but he took a lot of xrays along the way and said there were no bone spurs but one more wont hurt also i want a MRI which i told them to do but said we didnt need it well now i want it ——i mean hes ready to come back but its not going to do him any good if he keeps feeling that pinching unless its normal —-i think at this point it might be more mental than physical —-hes also been in the gym with a private trainer for the last 3 months —-i just want to see him pitch in college whats your advice on this

]]> By: garrett http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-481 garrett Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:02:30 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-481 Im at 120ft two sets of 25 on the throwing program. Did anyone who experienced the surgery have swelling or stiffness behind the elbow after throwing. Im at 120ft two sets of 25 on the throwing program. Did anyone who experienced the surgery have swelling or stiffness behind the elbow after throwing.

]]> By: garrett http://danblewett.com/2009/07/my-tommy-john-surgery-checkpoints/comment-page-1/#comment-480 garrett Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:59:11 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=156#comment-480 I stoped working out because of the same reasons. Upper body lifting is just to much with the throwing program. I stoped working out because of the same reasons. Upper body lifting is just to much with the throwing program.

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