Reale Avintia Racing rider Loris Baz underwent successful arm pump surgery today in his right arm. The operation lasted 40 minutes and was carried out by Dr. Olivier Dufour at the Hospital d’Aix en Provence, France.
Loris Baz has been struggling with this problem in his right arm from the first race of the season in Qatar, and although initially doctors attributed the problem to a tendon, it was finally confirmed that the problem was the famous arm pump or chronic exertional compartment syndrome, an increasingly common ailment in MotoGP riders who have to deal with bikes that exceed 260 HP. Race after race the pain was more and finally Loris and the team made the decision to undergo surgery to solve the problem.
With one month summer break, July was the most appropriate date in the calendar to complete the surgery. Now Baz has 29 days to recover before getting back on the bike on Friday August 4, when action will resume with Czech Grand Prix’s free practice sessions.
“I had surgery on arm pump, something very common among MotoGP riders. To be honest I never had problems with my arms, but this year the bike is very physical, perhaps the most physical bike I’ve ever rode in my life. The problems began in Qatar, this was the first time I noticed it and prevented me from fighting with Lorenzo until the end of the race due to the pain. In Argentina it was a little less, but in Jerez, Le Mans hurt, and in Mugello the pain was very strong. At the begining we thought it might be tendonitis, but in the end we found it to be compartment syndrome. After talking to several doctors like Dr. Mir or Dr. Charte, everyone agreed that surgery was needed. I tried to find an specialist and Randy De Puniet recommended me to Dr. Dufour. Now I will be quiet week and then I will start to train with the bike and in the gym to get back to action in Brno at 100%”.
