Matti Lehikoinen had a pretty miserable 2008 season, firstly wrecking his knee at Fort William then breaking both wrists at round 6 of the World Cup in Canberra. We spoke to him yesterday to ask him how the recovery process is going nearly three months after the Canberra crash.

Here’s what he told us:

After the 6 hour surgery I had to spend four days in the hospital because I was so sore and not able to do anything. The first two weeks were pretty horrible because I had these huge casts and was not able to do a thing. After the two weeks I got my stitches removed and at the same time I got these smaller plastic braces that I was able to take of for the shower and stuff.

I had few complications on my left hand because there was this long pin that was sticking out of my hand. It got infected really badly after 4 weeks and they had to remove it earlier but after that it was just fine.

In my right hand I also had pin´s but there was three of them and they were also sticking through the skin. They got removed about 4 weeks ago and it was one of the most uncomfortable things ever.

When I got to take my braces off fully both my wrists were solid like a rock, they didn´t move at all. Now things are looking a lot better, I am in Austria at the Red Bull training centre doing rehab and stuff . I have progressed a lot in the last few weeks, I have now about 50% of the movement back.
Also I have been able to ride xc a little bit, but just on gravel roads and easy trails. I just need to be really careful now when I ride that I dont´t crash again and get hurt!

world cup downhill MS Intense rider Matti Lehikoinen Injury Update