Connor Morrisroe – Tommy John Surgery
Connor throwing 92mph after Tommy John Surgery – Junior Year of College
My freshman year of college I got the news that every pitcher dreads. I tore my UCL and would have to undergo Tommy John Surgery to repair the ligament and begin a 12+ month long recovery and rehabilitation process on my throwing arm.
As you can imagine, the news that you will require surgery and miss your upcoming season is a tough pill to swallow and can leave you feeling pretty discouraged and defeated. At a time of total uncertainty, I had my doubts about my future as an athlete and my place in the game of baseball. However, my insecurities were quickly dismissed when I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Ahmad and his team. I remember his presence and calm demeanor when he walked in the room and introduced himself. He spoke to me in great detail about the nature of my injury and walked me through what the process of what my return to the field would look like. I remember feeling a sense of relief on the drive home knowing that I was in the best possible hands I could be in, given my circumstances.
Throughout the entire process Dr. Ahmad and his team were there for me every step of the way. Their sense of compassion and professionalism were apparent from day one and his entire team went above and beyond to make sure I received the best care (including fielding frantic phone calls/texts every time I thought I had a minor setback!).
Dr. Ahmad’s team helped me get back on the field and allowed me to have a second chance at playing the game I love. From my first consult and pre-op, all the way through to the extensive rehab journey, and ultimately the final step of getting back on the field, the team provided me with every resource I could possibly ask for. After my return, I felt like a stronger and more well-rounded athlete, and was able to finish out my college career, as well as have a short stint in independent baseball, before ultimately deciding to move on to pursue other passions.
I am truly grateful to Dr. Ahmad, as well as the rest of the team, including Frank Alexander, Fiona Nugent, Joe Ciccone and countless others who made my comeback possible. I can not emphasize enough the importance of having such a strong team and support system when going through a setback like this and I feel lucky to have had them as an integral part of my journey.
