Toseland: Surgeon saved my career

"I should get full strength and at least full use out of [the wrist]. My surgeon definitely saved my career" - James Toseland.
Toseland, Australian WSBK 2011
Toseland, Australian WSBK 2011
© Gold and Goose

Double World Superbike champion James Toseland has revealed that his right wrist injury was so serious it nearly ended his racing career.

The Englishman sustained the damage during testing at Motorland Aragon in mid-March, but aims to return to action for the BMW Motorrad Italia team at the forthcoming Monza round after a successful operation to remove surgical pins in his right hand.

"Everything has gone well and it took only just over an hour to get all the pins out. The doctor was really pleasantly surprised how fast the scar tissue on the ligaments has grown, really fast," Toseland told WorldSBK.com.

"It is a case now of seeing how goes between now and next Thursday. I have physio booked every day with Isla Scott on the Isle of Man, and hyperbaric treatment, so I will do everything I can to try and make it strong enough and have enough movement to race at Monza. But if not Monza, then at Miller I should hopefully be fully fit again."

Initial medical advice in Spain had suggested only a small fracture, but continued pain prompted Toseland to seek a second opinion.

Further x-rays revealed badly displaced bones and a 'critical' lack of blood flow in his wrist, prompting surgery that saved Toseland's career.

"I should get full strength [out of the wrist] and if not full movement then at least full use out of it to do my job. My surgeon Mike Hayton has definitely saved my career," he declared.

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