The Atlanta Braves announced that Spencer Strider, their star pitcher, underwent reconstructive surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. Unfortunately, this surgery will force him to sit out the remainder of the 2024 season. Notably, this is the second time Strider has had to undergo such a procedure, with his first occurring back in 2019 during his time at Clemson University.
Dr. Keith Meister, based in Dallas, TX, performed the surgery on Strider. Meister, who has taken over from the renowned Dr. James Andrews, has become the go-to surgeon for elbow surgeries among pitchers. He has notably operated on several other MLB pitchers, including Sandy Alcantara, Shane McClanahan, and Jacob deGrom, as well as some current and former Braves players.
The surgical method employed on Strider was the “internal brace” technique, which has gained popularity in recent years. This method involves inserting a tape-like suture into the arm, providing additional support to the repaired ligament. It is believed that this approach could lead to a shorter recovery time and potentially offer greater stability once the player returns to action.
Traditionally, UCL reconstruction involves using a donor ligament to repair the elbow joint, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process lasting between fourteen to eighteen months. In contrast, the internal brace procedure aims to expedite recovery by reinforcing the joint with the aforementioned suture anchored into the upper arm and forearm bones.
While returning to full form after a second Tommy John surgery is uncommon, there have been notable success stories in MLB. Players like Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers and former Braves reliever Jonny Venters, who underwent three Tommy John surgeries, have managed to make successful comebacks. Despite the challenges, there is optimism within the Braves organization for Strider’s eventual return to the mound.
