We’re excited to welcome physical therapist Stan Conte to this week’s podcast for a detailed discussion of expectations surrounding Tommy John surgery. Stan is not only an experienced clinician, but also a prolific researcher in the baseball sports medicine world. With the prevalence of ulnar collateral ligament injuries in today's game, this podcast is a must-listen.

A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• How Stan’s career in professional baseball has evolved from the clinical setting into more research based work
• How Stan was a part of the group that began the Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS), the first injury surveillance system in Major League Baseball
• How the disabled list had long been utilized as more of a roster management tool than an injury prevention system
• Why DL data is still nonetheless relied upon when analyzing medical history in pro baseball
• What studies Stan has been a part of regarding Tommy John surgery, and how this research is shaping the way players are managed
• How the increase in pitching velocity throughout the game of baseball has redefined the pressure put on prospects and led to throwing injuries in younger arms
• Why no one really knows how long it takes a UCL graft to mature and what conclusions Stan has drawn from research and working alongside rehabilitating athletes
• When the best time to begin throwing after Tommy John surgery is
• Why having pain when throwing during Tommy John rehab is not normal and what protocols players can look to when setbacks arise
• When flat grounds, bullpens, and simulated games should fit into a return from TJ throwing program
• When Stan recommends the reincorporation of off speed pitchers in return to throwing programs
• What the true success rate of UCL reconstruction surgery is
• What common Tommy John perceptions are actually myths
• Why the number of Tommy John revisions is rising and how long post-op are the majority of these revision surgeries occurring
• What the difference is between UCL repair and UCL reconstruction, and when each is an option for patients
• Despite the high success rate for pitchers with TJ surgery, why catchers see the lowest success rate from Tommy John
• Where Stan would like to see more research done in the baseball performance industry

You can follow Stan on Twitter at @StanConte.

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