Tommy John injuries an epidemic in Little League

The injury that St. Louis Cardinals star pitcher Adam Wainwright suffered in the bullpen during spring training isn't just a big league problem. As baseball season approaches, Little Leaguers and other school-age players should be aware that they can damage their elbows. Dr. Anand M. Murthi, attending orthopedic surgeon and chief of shoulder and elbow surgery at Union Memorial Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, explains the surgery that is sometimes necessary for repairs. It's called ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, better known as Tommy John surgery, named after the former pitcher who was one of the first professional athletes to successfully undergo the procedure.

By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun

March 10, 2011