Most good things in life can arise from something bad.  So is the case with Tommy John surgery. TJ is unique among major  arm surgeries in that it potentially provides a greater than 100% recovery.   Getting to 100% or above, however, is a matter of capitalizing on the time off, and making the most of a bad situation.

So here I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 good things one can get out of a little elbow-slicing action…

1. A well conditioned arm

      -Doing the rehab is necessary for a full recovery, but will also leave one with a very well conditioned arm, assuming the shoulder is well taken care of as well. This is the reason many pitchers throw harder when rehab is complete.

2. Time to reinvent pitching mechanics

      -Especially if one is a college pitcher, it is hard to get enough time off to break down and completely berid oneself of bad mechanical habits.  Pitching all fall, spring and summer typically makes this difficult.  The time off during rehab can allow one to start back up as a clean slate.

3. Time to address flexibility/mobility problems

      -It is tough to get rid of joint mobility problems and tightness when one is playing year-round the sport that causes those problems.  Time off mixed with a little yoga and a dedicated stretching program can make tightness a thing of the past. Getting a functional movement screen from a trainer is a must.

4. Time to get stronger

      -Trying to be fresh for outings can prevent one from focusing fully on strength training.  The time off from surgery gives one a chance to focus on specific weaknesses and lay down a really good base of strength, which can be maintained once returned to action. 

5. A work ethic

      -People undergo surgery with varying degrees of commitment, and some finish rehab with a different perspective on what it means to take care of their arm and body.  As previously said, the reason many throw harder after surgery is because they take care of it for the first time.  Hopefully that result provides incentive to continue on a path of physical furtherance.  

The Common Theme?

Time.  You can do the required 20 daily minutes of  rehab and throwing, and spend the other 23:40 bullshitting, or you can use those months off to (re)build a better you. If you make the most of it, that arm injury can turn out to be a blessing.