San Francisco Giants pitcher Will Smith will likely undergo Tommy John Surgery after team orthopedist Ken Akizuki, MD, of San Francisco-based SOAR Medical and Neal ElAttrache, MD, of Los Angeles-based Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedics agreed in their diagnoses, according to CSN Bay Area.
Here are four things to know:
1. Dr. Akizuki and Dr. ElAttrache agreed Mr. Smith had an elbow tear and both recommended he undergo Tommy John Surgery.
2. The surgery would keep Mr. Smith out for the entire 2017 season and he would likely miss the start of the 2018 season, as well.
3. The second round of diagnostics showed he has a strain and a sprain in the elbow.
4. Pain in his throwing elbow caused Mr. Smith to miss the first month of spring training. He called for a trainer after playing on March 20, three days after he returned to the team.
More articles on sports medicine:
The stem cell procedure that may change the sports medicine field in 2017 — 5 observations
Nearly-paralyzed ex-NFL player promoting neck injury research — 4 takeaways
Does single-sport focus increase athlete injuries? 5 things to know