Tommy John Surgery Evolution and Athlete Expectations | Dr. Neal ElAttrache
APTA Orthopedics Podcasts - Previously Ortho StaticShow Notes
Join ESPN’s Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS, as she sits down at the TPC Team Physician Controversies Meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache — orthopedic surgeon at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Head Team Physician for the Los Angeles Rams, and Medical Director for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In this conversation, Dr. ElAttrache discusses the evolution of Tommy John surgery since its origins with Dr. Frank Jobe, how surgical techniques and rehabilitation have advanced, and the ongoing challenges created by increasing demands in sport. He also explores how elite athlete recoveries influence patient expectations and highlights the importance of collaboration between surgeons and physical therapists.
Physical therapists will learn about:
- Evolution of Tommy John surgery since 1974 - Demands of throwing athletes on the UCL - Advances in surgical technique and outcomes - Managing expectations shaped by elite athlete recovery - Differences between professional and developing athletes - PT’s role in optimizing recovery and protecting outcomes
Target Audience: Orthopedic and sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, strength and conditioning coaches, rehab directors, PT students, and sports science professionals.
More from APTA Orthopedics Podcasts - Previously Ortho Static
Total knee replacements are climbing about 4% a year, and the updated 2026 Total Knee Arthroplasty Clinical Practice Guideline is here to help clinicians keep up. In this episode of Did You Know?, Lori Thein Brody and Jill Thein-Nissenbaum talk with guideline authors Dr. Allie Bove (University of Pittsburgh) and Dr. Michael Bade (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus).
This episode of the Did You Know podcast dives into the newly revised 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Hosts Lori Thein Brody and Jill Thein-Nissenbaum sit down with three of the guideline's expert contributors — Mia Erickson, Marsha Lawrence, and Kylie Scott — to unpack what changed since the 2019 version and what it means for clinical practice.
Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum, PT, MPT, ATC, DSc, SCS and Lori Thein Brody, PT, ATC, PhD, SCS for the next episode of Did You Know?, featuring guest Dave, a fellow healthcare professional.
Join ESPN's Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS, as she sits down at the TPC Team Physician Controversies Meeting with Dr. Norman Waldrop — orthopedic surgeon at Andrews Sports Medicine, Team Physician for the University of Alabama, and Team Physician for the New Orleans Saints.
Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum and Lori Thein Brody for the next episode of Did You Know?, featuring guest Mark Paterno, PT, PhD, Clinical Scientist and Senior Clinical Director at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. In this episode, Mark shares groundbreaking research on ACL re-injury risk — including the surprising finding that athletes who meet return-to-sport criteria AND have high knee-related confidence are 10 times more likely to sustain a second ACL injury. The conversation digs into the biopsychosocial factors influencing outcomes, the importance of guiding athletes through the full return-to-sport continuum, and exciting pilot data on "booster visits" — intermittent PT check-ins after discharge — that may improve patient-reported outcomes, physical activity levels, and long-term sports participation. If you work with post-ACL patients, this episode will challenge how you think about criteria, confidence, and your role beyond the clinic.