Frank Jobe

American orthopedic surgeon

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June 22, 2026

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Frank Jobe was an American orthopedic surgeon renowned for performing the first Tommy John surgery in September 1974. This procedure, also known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, involves repairing a torn UCL in the elbow using a tendon graft. It is most commonly performed on athletes in throwing sports, particularly baseball pitchers. Jobe's groundbreaking surgery was on pitcher Tommy John of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the procedure has since become a vital intervention for many athletes seeking to continue their careers after elbow injuries.12

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Tommy John surgery
Origins
…September 1974, by orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe on pitcher Tommy John, who was playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. At that time, elbow soreness and subsequent surgery often meant the end of a baseball pitcher’s career. When Jobe examined John’s throwing arm, he noticed that the UCL was simply absent.…
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…September 1974, by orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe on pitcher Tommy John, who was playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. At that time, elbow soreness and subsequent surgery often meant the end of a baseball pitcher’s career. When Jobe examined John’s throwing arm, he noticed that the UCL was simply absent.…
Read More