Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL)
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Reconstruction – “Tommy John” Surgery
Dr. Petty is Tennessee’s most experienced surgeon in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction of the elbow—commonly known as Tommy John surgery. His patients consistently achieve success rates in the high 90% range, reflecting technical precision, meticulous technique and proper guidance through the rehab process. Mentored directly by the legendary Dr. James R. Andrews—who taught him the procedure—Dr. Petty also conducted original research on UCL reconstruction outcomes in adolescent throwers. He had the privilege of holding in-depth discussions with Dr. Frank Jobe, the Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon who pioneered the Tommy John procedure in 1974.
Dr. Petty tailors each reconstruction to the individual athlete’s needs and anatomy, most commonly utilizing the palmaris longus tendon from the injured arm as the primary graft source due to its ideal characteristics and minimal donor-site morbidity. When a sufficient palmaris longus is unavailable, he expertly harvests from the opposite arm or, alternatively, uses the gracilis tendon from the contralateral knee—ensuring the highest-quality graft for durable reconstruction.
Internal Bracing and Accelerated Recovery
In appropriately selected cases, Dr. Petty incorporates internal bracing—a modern augmentation technique that reinforces the repair and accelerates rehabilitation. This advanced approach can significantly shorten the typical recovery timeline from approximately 10 months to as little as 5–6 months, allowing elite athletes to return to competition sooner while maintaining exceptional stability and strength.
Not every patient is a candidate for internal bracing; candidacy is determined through careful evaluation of the specific injury and the performance goals and demands of the particular athlete.
Dr. Petty delivers world-class Tommy John surgery results and is trusted by athletes seeking to protect their careers and regain peak performance.
