Like most things, it's a matter of both of them being in the right place at the right time. But I doubt that Tommy John surgery would be as ubiquitous today if he had fizzled out. They didn't even attempt the same surgery for two years after John because they wanted to see how his arm held up. And it more than held up—he pitched 200+ innings in each of the first five seasons he was back, during which time he was also a perennial Cy Young candidate. He was stubborn enough to insist upon having the surgery and had the work ethic to rehab and return to success. I believe he's also the winningest pitcher not in the Hall of Fame (for whatever wins are worth), but would have to double check.
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