(Tommy John Surgery, 2) In certain instances, partial tears can be managed with rest and appropriate rehabilitation. Complete tears in professional athletes typically need surgery in order to allow the pitcher to return to their pre-injury level of play. The procedure happens in roughly sixty to ninety minutes, in which only a portion is the actual reconstruction of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament. Fifteen percent of people lack the tendon that’s most commonly used to repair the damaged ligament. Recovery and return to pitching after the surgery can take upwards to 18 months. Usually most pitchers do very well after surgery, however, about five to ten percent of pitchers are never able to return to their pre-injury level of play. (Roegle,