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Tommy John surgery wait times in Ontario (2025)

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Wait times for Tommy John surgery, or ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is not directly reported by the Ontario government. Instead, the Province reports wait times for a broader category of 'elbow-related' surgeries. We use this category as a proxy to estimate these wait times.

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Tommy John surgery, officially known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is a surgical procedure used to repair a torn UCL in the elbow. The UCL is a critical ligament that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) to the ulna (one of the forearm bones), playing a vital role in stabilizing the elbow, especially in overhead throwing motions.

The need for Tommy John surgery arises when the UCL becomes damaged or torn, often due to repetitive stress from throwing activities in sports or from an acute injury. This damage can lead to pain, instability, and decreased performance, particularly in activities requiring arm strength and precision.

The surgery involves replacing the damaged UCL with a tendon taken from elsewhere in the patient's body, such as the forearm, hamstring, or foot, or sometimes using a donor tendon. This replacement tendon is threaded through holes drilled in the ulna and humerus to reconstruct the ligament and restore stability to the elbow joint.

Recovery from Tommy John surgery involves a significant period of rehabilitation, typically lasting from 12 to 18 months. This process includes physical therapy to regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the elbow. The goal is to return the individual to their previous level of activity, whether that involves competitive sports or daily tasks.

Ontario hospitals with shortest Tommy John surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the shortest Tommy John surgery wait times. All five hospitals have 100% of patients treated within their target time.

  • 🥇  Women's College Hospital: This hospital boasts the shortest wait times for Tommy John surgery in Ontario, with an average wait of just 8 weeks.
  • Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital: Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital ranks fourth in the list of hospitals with short wait times for Tommy John surgery, with an average wait of 16 weeks
  • North York General Hospital: This hospital ranks fifth for the shortest wait times in Ontario for Tommy John surgery, with an average wait of 18 weeks

Ontario hospitals with longest Tommy John surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the longest Tommy John surgery wait times:

  • Erie Shores Healthcare: This hospital reports the longest wait times for Tommy John surgery in Ontario, with only 11% of patients being treated within the their target time.
  • Toronto Western Hospital: This hospital ranks fifth for the longest wait times in Ontario for Tommy John surgery, with 41% of patients receive treatment within the target time.

Interpreting wait times & data limitations

Several factors can extend the average wait times for cataract surgery in Ontario. Clinical considerations often lead doctors to delay surgeries based on a patient's medical needs or other priorities. Additionally, patients may postpone their procedures due to personal reasons like scheduling conflicts, financial constraints, or a preference to delay treatment. The availability of hospital operating rooms also plays a critical role. These spaces are necessary for cataract surgeries but can be scarce if occupied for other medical procedures or impacted by labor shortages. Seasonal variations further influence both room availability and staffing levels, potentially prolonging wait times during certain periods.

Conversely, average wait times can sometimes seem shorter than anticipated due to various factors. Some patients have flexible schedules, allowing them to fill slots that become available unexpectedly, thus shortening their wait. This adaptability, when averaged with others, can make overall wait times appear more favorable. Seasonality affects this dynamic as well, with certain times of the year experiencing lower demand for surgeries or increased temporary staffing, which can enhance room availability and reduce delays.

We focus on calculating wait times for Priority 4 patients because data for Priority levels 2 and 3 are typically incomplete. Surgeons, specialists, and healthcare administrators use clinical evidence to set these priority levels and target times, aiming to improve patient access and outcomes.

Furthermore, our data does not include patients who opt out of surgery after their initial consultation with a specialist.

Advocating for better data access

We are thankful for Ontario Health's efforts in providing hospital wait times for cataract surgeries. Ontario stands out globally for its transparency in reporting hospital wait times and covers a wide array of medical procedures.

We encourage Ontario Health to expand its data reporting to include average wait times by doctor, as seen in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. This information would greatly benefit patients by allowing them to choose doctors with shorter wait times.

Readers can consider reaching out to Ontario Health to advocate for this beneficial change.

Learn wait times for other medical procedures in Ontario:

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