A 14-year analysis of 191 professional pitchers who underwent revision UCL surgery found that only 72% returned to play and just 59% reached their previous performance level, with most losing nearly two full seasons in the process. Pitchers who needed a second surgery tended to return from their first reconstruction earlier, reinforcing concerns that current return-to-play timelines may be too aggressive. The findings suggest that workload management, sleep, and individualized, evidence-based rehab programs matter far more than surgical technique in protecting long-term careers.
.png)