by LIZ BONIS & MEGAN BURGASSER, WKRC || Click here to read the full story.

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Reds lost a series to the Mets this weekend, and a pitcher had to leave the mound early. That’s leading to a lot of talk about Tommy John surgery.

The team at OrthoCincy has been performing the surgery for years. It’s been streamlined in its 50-year history, so recovery time is generally faster than in previous years.

Reds pitcher Tejay Antone was fighting his way back from Tommy John surgery. He left the game on Sunday after throwing only one pitch.

Dr. R. Michael Greiwe weighed in on what the procedure involves.

“It’s basically a ligament reconstruction on the inside part of the elbow, and it helps to kind of restore the strength of the ligament back on the inside part of the elbow.”

The therapy to rebuild it is intense. The goal is to stabilize the elbow, reduce pain and improve range of motion – but the healing from this reconstructive procedure takes time, because there’s a lot involved.

“We reconstruct the ligament typically with a tendon and that helps to strength and fortify that area so that players can continue doing their sport,” Dr. Greiwe said.

However, those who’ve had Tommy John surgery have had remarkable results.

“It’s pretty amazing, you know the Tommy John reconstruction performed by Frank Jobe, you know, in 1974 was probably one of the epic sports medicine reconstructions of all time, because it allowed someone who essentially had a career-ending injury to perform again and play at the highest level. I think he won a World Series game after that so, pretty amazing,” Dr. Greiwe said.