KTM rider Matthias Walkner has returned to Austria from the USA after his serious rally accident – new statement from the Austrian gives hope
After his serious accident in the USA in early December in preparation for the 2024 Dakar Rally, Matthias Walkner is now back in Austria
The fact that the Dakar Rally, which takes place in January, was already over for him before the start was already clear immediately after the serious crash on December 5. Walkner’s latest statement, however, gives hope for the future.
The injuries – fractures to the tibia, fibula and ankle – have now been operated on several times. After an initial operation carried out in Palms Springs in the US state of California, Walkner underwent surgery in Graz in his native Austria on Wednesday of this week (December 20). The operation lasted 15 hours and it was not the last.
There was “not much left” of his broken ankle, as Walkner said in his latest statement, referring to his medical team. Just like immediately after the crash in the USA, Walkner addressed his fans again directly after the operation in Austria with a detailed personal post on his Facebook account. He wrote there on Saturday evening:
“Dear friends, dear fans. I think now is the right time to get in touch again. First of all – many thanks for the incredible sympathy, the numerous messages and wishes for recovery! I’ve been in intensive care since the operation on Wednesday and am still very tired and weak.”
“Today is the first day that I’m feeling reasonably well again. I was operated on for 15 hours and have now also contracted an intestinal germ because my immune system is so severely weakened. That’s why I’m still in intensive care at the moment.”
“The doctors are very happy with the soft tissue, everything is well supplied with blood and the foot looks really good despite the long operation. Dr. Plecko and his team did an incredible job and they didn’t finish the operation until everything was perfectly stitched together. An incredibly meticulous job. Hence the long operation. Apparently there wasn’t much left of the joint.”
“It was practically all crumbled and there was nothing left of the bone. They then removed a bone from my pelvis and put this puzzle together. What these doctors do every day and did during my 15-hour operation is unimaginable for me and I am infinitely grateful to the whole team in Graz.”
“It’s a very character-defining time right now. I’ve noticed since today that things are looking up. I have my next operation tomorrow, December 24th, but it’s a very minor one and if all goes well, I’ll be allowed to leave the intensive care unit on December 25th or 26th. Then on December 27 I’ll have surgery on my knee. Then the surgery marathon should be over for now.”
“I wish you all a wonderful and peaceful Christmas with your families and friends. Have a wonderful time together. Best wishes, Hiasi “
