Elbow · Sacramento, CA
Elbow surgery for throwers and lifters alike.
From UCL injuries in throwing athletes to distal biceps ruptures and arthroscopic procedures for stiffness and loose bodies, Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes — fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and Sacramento Kings team physician — provides specialized elbow care in Sacramento.
Specialized elbow care
What Dr. Hughes treats.
- UCL repair & reconstruction: surgical repair or reconstruction (the “Tommy John” procedure) for ulnar collateral ligament injuries in throwing and overhead athletes, with structured interval throwing programs for the return.
- Distal biceps repair: timely structural repair or reconstruction of distal biceps ruptures to restore powerful flexion and supination strength.
- Elbow arthroscopy: minimally invasive treatment of loose bodies, impingement, and select cartilage lesions causing catching, locking, or loss of motion.
- Tendinopathy that won’t quit: evaluation and management of chronic tennis and golfer’s elbow, prioritizing evidence-based non-operative care first.
What to expect
From evaluation to return.
- Evaluation first: a focused exam — including valgus stress assessment for throwers — and imaging review establish whether the ligament, tendon, or joint is the problem.
- Athlete-specific planning: for throwing athletes, treatment decisions weigh position, level of play, and timeline; not every UCL injury needs reconstruction.
- Criteria-based rehabilitation: recovery follows published protocols, including a structured interval throwing program before return to competition.
- Durable strength: for distal biceps injuries, the goal is restoring the strength that daily work and lifting demand.
Recovery, documented
Rehabilitation protocols you can download.
Dr. Hughes publishes his post-operative protocols so patients and physical therapists can follow the same criteria-based plan used for elite athletes. Protocols related to this area of care:
Common questions
Common questions, answered.
Who treats elbow injuries in Sacramento?
Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes, MD, PhD, treats elbow injuries in Sacramento, California through Sutter Health. He is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and a team physician for the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento State Athletics, with particular experience in UCL injuries in throwing athletes.
What is Tommy John surgery?
Tommy John surgery is reconstruction of the elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) using a tendon graft. It is most common in baseball pitchers and other overhead athletes. Some UCL injuries can instead be treated with direct repair or non-operative care, depending on the tear location and the athlete’s demands.
Does a distal biceps rupture need surgery right away?
When surgical repair is chosen, earlier treatment generally makes the repair more straightforward, so prompt evaluation matters. Whether surgery is right for you depends on the injury, your strength demands, and your goals — all reviewed at your consultation.
Sacramento, California
Start with an evaluation.
Dr. Hughes sees patients through Sutter Health in Sacramento. Whether you have imaging in hand or just a joint that won’t cooperate, a consultation is the first step.
Book a consultation