Comments on: My Tommy John Surgery Throwing Notes

By: Dan Blewett

Dan Blewett — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:17:31 +0000

No, it will keep increasing. There’s no way of knowing where your ceiling is, but a number of factors will allow you to keep increasing: 1. your elbow and forearm is still not as strong as it will be. 2. What is 100% to you today is probably not a true 100%, and the longer you throw at 100% the more your body will learn to move fast, which will allow it to move even faster. 3. More innings at full will keep strengthening everything.

I was able to touch 90 at 9 months. 2 months later I would throw 90-91 for an inning or two. A year later, I throw nearly every pitch there or above. I’ll hit 2 years in a few months, and It’s still getting better. Keep progressing with it and it will keep getting better.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:35:19 +0000

Hi I had surgery about 8.5 months ago and just started throwing 100% recently and am 84-86.. does velocity typically increase over the time? or is this about where ill be? before surgery was 89-92. thanks!

By: Dan Blewett

Dan Blewett — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:10:07 +0000

If you look in my “pitchers homework” category on the left column you will find the elbow rehab that was given me. I started light and did 2-3 sets daily, then as the resistance got heavier, I stuck with 2-3 sets and dropped to 3-4 times per week. All reps were 15-20, nice and slow. I also follow the shoulder workout outlined in that same pitchers homework category. You should have been given rehab to follow; that’s a shame. I’m not sure what kind of success you can expect without going through all of the strengthening, especially in the early going. Most people by 8 months are throwing off the mound at about 75-90% intensity. Best of luck to you.

By: Rich G

Rich G — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:08:53 +0000

Hey Im 8 months removed from TJ. Ive been throwing but very timidly. I stumbled across your article and was just wondering what you did for strengthening exercises. My doctor didnt give me a rehab program, so Ive been on my own basically. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:49:32 +0000

We will stick with the program. Thanks for the advice. It makes sense.

By: Dan Blewett

Dan Blewett — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:25:09 +0000

First, I don’t advocate anyone straying from their doctor’s orders. I’m no doctor, and for me to recommend disobeying your surgeon’s orders would be reckless and irresponsible.

And, like I wrote in other posts about the surgery, every doctor sees different results and prescribes different things. I didn’t have an arm brace, ever, which many would consider very dangerous; most guys wear them for 6 weeks. There are probably tons of ways to write a successful rehab program, but, seeing as how you chose your specific doctor for his knowledge and skill set, I wouldn’t recommend anything but to stick with his wishes. If he does everything the doctor asks, he will make it to the finish line just the same as those who do unorthodox things. Players DO re-injure themselves, so err on the side of caution.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:54:05 +0000

Hi,

I noticed in your notes from 7-9.5 months you were throwing long toss up to 270. My son is about 4.5 months out from his tj surgery. His rehab only has him going out to 180 and then moving to the mound. After that it says to warm up to 120 and then go to the mound.

I think the longer throwing distances are helpful and want to have him keep throwing longer as his arm gets stronger. The doctor does not believe that though. How did you come upon throwing those longer distances before you were completely cleared? I believe in your other posts you said you were not completely cleared until 10 months.

Thanks,

Rob